These performances have been postponed out of concern for the health and safety of our audience and artists. We are deeply saddened not to be able to share this musical experience with you, but are committed to doing our part to help stop the spread of COVID-19. Thank you for your understanding.  

Learn more here about ticketing options.

Our 7th season finale is one of opera's most beloved and most heartbreaking tales, Verdi’s Rigoletto. Based on Victor Hugo’s original play Le roi s'amuse, Verdi’s opera warns of the cost of seeking revenge. In a world where money and titles prevail, where women have no voice and the lower class have no power, Rigoletto attempts to protect his beloved daughter Gilda by taking matters into his own hands, and ends up paying the highest price.  

In the intimate Charity Randall Theatre, experience the visceral emotions and suspense of Verdi's dramatic masterpiece as never before seen in Pittsburgh!  

Our stellar cast includes returning Resonance Works artists Andrew Cummings (The Bernstein Project), Laurel Semerdjian(Rusalka), stage director Valerie Rachelle (On the Town), and soprano Joanna Latini as Gilda.  Joanna was in the chorus of our very first two opera productions while a student at Carnegie Mellon University, then returned in 2018 as the Kitchen Boy in Rusalka.  Now one of the most exciting rising stars in opera with recent appearances at the Glimerglass Festival, Atlanta Opera, and more, we are thrilled to to have her make her role debut as GIlda on our stage!

Though originally set in the 16th century, Gilda's story continues to have relevance in today's society.  To make this connection, we will bring the story forward several centuries to the 1930's and examine Gilda's journey through a more contemporary lens.  We are proud to be partnering with PAAR (Pittsburgh Action Against Rape) to create discussion and increase awareness about the many relevant current issues portrayed in the opera.  PAAR is one of the oldest rape crisis centers in the country, providing services to Allegheny County for more than 47 years, and is dedicated to assisting victims of sexual abuse and ending sexual violence in our community.  

artists

Andrew Cummings - Rigoletto
Joanna Latini - Gilda
Ángel Vargas * - Duke of Mantua
Laurel Semerdjian - Maddalena
Timothy Bruno * - Sparafucile
Patrick McNally - Marullo
Robert Frankenberry - Borsa
Thespina Christulides - Giovanna

Valerie Rachelle, stage director
Maria Sensi Sellner, conductor
Resonance Chamber Orchestra

* Resonance Works Debut