Vancouver Opera stages a darkly intriguing Rigoletto, October 25 to November 2

In partnership with Pacific Opera Victoria, new production of Giuseppe Verdi’s tragedy centres opulence, oppression, and revenge

SPONSORED POST BY Vancouver Opera

Vancouver Opera’s Rigoletto. Photo by Deanna Milligan, with art director Annie Mack and model John Luna

 
 

Vancouver Opera opens its 2025-26 season with Giuseppe Verdi’s Rigoletto, a new production in partnership with Pacific Opera Victoria which tells the tragic story of a father’s desperate love for his daughter—and of the double-edged sword of vengeance. Performances will take place at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre on October 25 and 30 at 7:30 pm and November 2 at 2 pm.

The jester Rigoletto had long enjoyed the privilege of mocking the Duke of Mantua’s adversaries. But when his beloved daughter becomes the target of the Duke’s abuse, Rigoletto sets a revenge plot in motion that brings themes of opulence and oppression into sharp focus.

Led by director Glynis Leyshon and Vancouver Opera music director Jacques Lacombe, such unforgettable pieces as “La donna è mobile” and the heartwrenching “Caro nome” will soar to life, sung by extraordinary voices like American baritone Michael Chioldi as Rigoletto and Canadian soprano Sarah Dufresne as Gilda.

Tickets are available through Vancouver Opera.


Post sponsored by Vancouver Opera.

 
 
 

Related Articles

Featured
Early Music Vancouver aims to make Handel’s beloved Messiah feel both fresh and familiar
Early Music Vancouver aims to make Handel’s beloved Messiah feel both fresh and familiar

Pacific Baroque Orchestra conductor Alexander Weimann says the German-English composer’s oratorio is never the same piece twice 

VSO’s The Four Seasons travels gradually into “icy snow”, December 11 and 12 at the Chan Centre
VSO’s The Four Seasons travels gradually into “icy snow”, December 11 and 12 at the Chan Centre

Orchestra’s associate concertmaster Timothy Steeves takes a starring role in the festive violin concertos

Fountains and Chapel Sound highlight sonic experimentation at Fountains: Series III, December 4 and 6
Fountains and Chapel Sound highlight sonic experimentation at Fountains: Series III, December 4 and 6

Annual program co-presented with Fountains Symposium highlights the work of East and Southeast Asian women, femme, and nonbinary artists

Four double bassists join forces for BASS-MAS!, an evening of festive tunes, December 3
Four double bassists join forces for BASS-MAS!, an evening of festive tunes, December 3

Malcolm Armstrong, Mark Beaty, Meaghan Williams, and Jeff White are gearing up to play four new commissions at the Jericho Arts Centre

John Reischman and the Jaybirds’ musical roots thrive on strong sense of West Coast place
John Reischman and the Jaybirds’ musical roots thrive on strong sense of West Coast place

With new album The Salish Sea and a “bluegrass concerto” of the same name, the renowned mandolinist and his cohort of virtuoso musicians summon wild elements of the natural world

Vancouver Bach Choir ushers in the holidays with Bach’s Christmas Oratorio, December 6
Vancouver Bach Choir ushers in the holidays with Bach’s Christmas Oratorio, December 6

Featured soloists include soprano Chloe Hurst, mezzo-soprano Emma Parkinson, tenor Colin Ainsworth, and baritone Aaron Durand

Nebula Noël: A Pair of Magical Christmas Concerts brings festive music to the city, December 7 and 13
Nebula Noël: A Pair of Magical Christmas Concerts brings festive music to the city, December 7 and 13

Annual tradition presented by Nebula Performances features emerging and established artists singing seasonal favourites

Singer-songwriter Chris Smither remains a restless soul, while looking back on a long and rich career
Singer-songwriter Chris Smither remains a restless soul, while looking back on a long and rich career

Now in his 80s, the veteran folk and blues artist brings his band the Motivators and a fresh collection of gritty, introspective songs to the BlueShore at CapU

UBC Opera brings to life The Magic Flute's enchanting world, November 27 to 30
UBC Opera brings to life The Magic Flute's enchanting world, November 27 to 30

Beloved Mozart work features fantastical characters and a killer Queen of the Night aria

Triology and musica intima perform Maria Schneider’s Winter Morning Walks at BlueShore at CapU, December 12
Triology and musica intima perform Maria Schneider’s Winter Morning Walks at BlueShore at CapU, December 12

Choral music melds with jazz in achingly beautiful, triple Grammy–winning song cycle

Chapel Sound and Notebook showcase experimental electronic music from around the world
Chapel Sound and Notebook showcase experimental electronic music from around the world

Participating artists bring together everything from martial arts and opera to club music and Arabic melodies

Vancouver Chamber Choir sings in a softly glowing church at Christmas by Candlelight, December 19
Vancouver Chamber Choir sings in a softly glowing church at Christmas by Candlelight, December 19

At annual holiday offering, choir performs works by Matthew Whittall, Morten Lauridsen, and Joanna Marsh at Pacific Spirit United Church

Vancouver Cantata Singers continues an a cappella tradition with Christmas Reprise XXII, December 20
Vancouver Cantata Singers continues an a cappella tradition with Christmas Reprise XXII, December 20

Performances at Holy Rosary Cathedral and Sanctuary on 6th serve as a break from the bustle of the holiday season

Chez Nous: Christmas With Elektra transports audiences to a cozy Canadian home for the holidays
Chez Nous: Christmas With Elektra transports audiences to a cozy Canadian home for the holidays

Artistic director Cassie Luftspring has curated a program of Elektra favourites, new commissions, and pieces with personal meaning

Chris Pierce, who has toured with Neil Young, plays the BlueShore at CapU on December 7
Chris Pierce, who has toured with Neil Young, plays the BlueShore at CapU on December 7

Singer-songwriter has performed with the likes of Steve Earle, B.B. King, Seal, and Al Green

B3 Kings bring beloved Christmas concert back to the Shadbolt Centre, December 18 to 20
B3 Kings bring beloved Christmas concert back to the Shadbolt Centre, December 18 to 20

Quartet consists of vocalist-drummer Denzal Sinclaire, Hammond B3 organist Chris Gestrin, tenor saxophonist Cory Weeds, and guitarist Bill Coon

Christmas with Chor Leoni returns to St. Andrew’s–Wesley United Church, December 18 to 20
Christmas with Chor Leoni returns to St. Andrew’s–Wesley United Church, December 18 to 20

Festive tradition features the choir’s hallmark mix of traditional carols, world premieres, and reimagined winter classics

Holiday shows 2025: Stir’s ultimate guide to Vancouver’s merriest performances and events
Holiday shows 2025: Stir’s ultimate guide to Vancouver’s merriest performances and events

The local arts and culture scene has bright gifts in store this season, from music by candlelight to wintry ballets

Chapel Sound Art Foundation hosts four outside-the-box electronic-music events throughout November
Chapel Sound Art Foundation hosts four outside-the-box electronic-music events throughout November

Performances, workshops, and artist talks are in store as part of Notebook SEASON ♪ 2025

Songwriting legend Chris Smither takes the BlueShore at CapU stage, December 3
Songwriting legend Chris Smither takes the BlueShore at CapU stage, December 3

Concert proves a rare opportunity to see the acoustic-guitar master in a full-band setting with the Motivators

Vancouver Chamber Choir and Early Music Vancouver join forces for Handel's Messiah, December 12 and 13
Vancouver Chamber Choir and Early Music Vancouver join forces for Handel's Messiah, December 12 and 13

Spellbinding concert features the Pacific Baroque Orchestra along with soloists Myriam Leblanc, Cecilia Duarte, Jacob Perry, and Sumner Thompson

MUSICStir VancouverPartner Content, Vancouver Opera, VANCOUVER OPERA, Pacific Opera Victoria