Here’s everything you need to know about ENO’s iconic production of Rigoletto.

It’s an opera by Verdi

This opera by Italian composer Giuseppe Verdi has been a favourite amongst audiences ever since its opening night in Venice on 11 March 1851 when it premiered to a full house who enjoyed it so much that they were heard singing it in the streets the next morning.

It is based on the 1832 play Le roi s’amuse by French writer Victor Hugo’s 1832, who is better known for his novels Les Misérables and Notre-Dame de Paris. 

Our ‘Mafia’ production is set in New York’s Little Italy

★★★★ ‘Outstanding… a revival worth catching’ The Guardian | ★★★★ ‘Packs a powerful punch’ Evening Standard

Created  in 1982 by director Jonathan Miller, this specific production transfers the opera from its original setting of 16th century Mantua to the Mafia world of Little Italy in New York City in the 1950s. The setting lends itself well to the tragic story of jealousy, vengeance and sacrifice – much like you would find in any of the Godfather movies.

It was one of the first productions to drastically change the original setting of an opera, which is partly why it has such an iconic reputation today.

Director Jonathan Miller has had a more than 30-year relationship with ENO, where his productions have included Rigoletto, The Barber of Seville, The Mikado, Carmen, Der Rosenkavalier, La traviata, La bohème and The Elixir of Love. Apart from his international engagements as an opera director, he has worked for theatres in London, Europe and the USA.

Watch this short video interview with Miller speaking about his experienes as a director.

You’ve probably heard it before

The most famous part of Rigoletto is the aria ‘Women abandon us’ – or as it’s known in Italian, ‘La donna è mobile’: but, don’t worry, we sing in English at ENO.

One of the most familiar pieces of music in all of opera, the aria is sung by the Duke of Mantua and is all about the ‘fickleness of women’ (his words, not ours).

You will recognise this from all sorts of popular culture references – from the Pizza Ristorante advert to the soundtrack of the computer game Grand Theft Auto III and many other films and TV shows including Alvin and the Chipmunks and The Simpsons.