The story of Rigoletto depicts the deceit, corruption, and sexual wrongdoings of the nobility, in particular the fictional Duke of Mantua and his courtiers. Director Christopher Alden has opted to change the period setting of his production from the 16th century to the 19th century – specifically, the 1860s – and Michael Levine's designs are meant to illustrate the wealth, privilege, and sensuality of the Duke's court. For the women's costumes, this means long and colourful silk gowns, complete with enormous steel hoop skirts.
Here's the sketch for some of the female super costumes ("super," short for supernumerary, refers to a non-singing actor playing a small part):
The COC's costume staff has been working hard to get the costumes completed and fitted. Here's how these opulent dresses look in "real life":
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Posted by Cecily Carver / in Rigoletto / comments (0) / permalink
This month's issue of Toronto Life features an interview with Ensemble Studio soprano Simone Osborne! Simone made a stunning debut as Pamina in our production of The Magic Flute last season, and this fall she'll be debuting another major role with us: Gilda, the innocent daughter of the misanthropic jester Rigoletto.
Simone has a fresh take on the role of Gilda:
Now, just 24, she's taking on Gilda, the self-sacrificing daughter in Verdi's Rigoletto, a part that requires a voice both winsome and fierce with conviction (she's got it) . . . More importantly, she's got enough natural sass to bring something new to the character of Gilda, a character too often played as wearyingly naive. "She has the strength of character to die for someone she loves even when she knows he's a bad person," says Osborne.
Check out the full article in the print issue of Toronto Life! A PDF of the full article is also available here.
Photo: (l – r) Simone Osborne as Pamina and Christopher Enns as Tamino in the COC Ensemble Studio performance of The Magic Flute, 2011. © Michael Cooper 2011
The COC is looking for some broad-chested men to act as non-singing extras in the upcoming production of Verdi's Rigoletto, directed by Christopher Alden and opening Sept. 29.
If you wear a size 46 jacket, are between 5'9" and 6'2" and are available between Aug. 23 and Oct. 22, please send an email to supers@coc.ca for more information.
Photo: a costume sketch for Rigoletto. Design by Michael Levine.
Posted by Cecily Carver / in Rigoletto / comments (8) / permalink
Sara Fulgoni in the COC production of Bluebeard's Castle. Photo: Michael Cooper © 2001