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Set in northern Italy in the town of Mantua during the 16th century, Rigoletto is a tale of love, loyalty, revenge and tragedy. The opera is focused around Rigoletto, a hunchbacked court jester cursed by the Count of Monterone. Despite his attempts to defy the count's curse, Rigoletto cannot fool fate and loses the most important person in his life, his daughter, Gilda.
Stony Brook resident Ted Labow, a professional baritone and cantor at Temple Isaiah in Smithtown, will star in the title role. Over the course of his career, Labow has performed roles in the United States, Canada and Italy, including the One World Symphony in New York, SOLT Opera Theatre in Toronto, the Casalmaggiore Summer Festival and Canada's National Academy Orchestra. Additionally, Rockville Centre's own Jennifer Caruana, a mezzo soprano, will make her Long Island Opera debut as the sultry "Maddalena" while tenor Paolo Buffagni will star as the "Duke of Mantua' and soprano Mary Thorne will take on the role of "Gilda."
"Our performers are true professionals who dedicate themselves to bringing the story to life," said Long Island Opera's Executive Director Joy Berta. "The audience is in for an exciting evening as Long Island Opera brings to the stage singing with orchestra and all the visual elements of the production."
Seated in the audience for the opera company's stellar performance of Carmen at Guild Hall last month, Berta said she was overcome with emotion. "It was an amazing feeling to witness all the hard work I have put in as a volunteer for the past three years come to fruition," Berta said. "The potential for opera on Long Island is great. I am thrilled to be a part of this wonderful organization with a bright future on Long Island."
Long Island Opera began in 1958 as an adult education course offered in Floral Park by Nino Luciano, a leading tenor of New York City Opera. Two years later, it incorporated as a 501(c)3 organization and today remains the oldest opera company in existence on Long Island. In 2009, Berta, opera singer herself, came on board with the goal of bringing captivating, high-quality, fully-staged operas back to Long Island.
"Long Islanders are finding that that they no longer have to travel into the city to go to the opera," said Berta. "We want Long Islanders to share with us the wonderful experience of live opera performances right here on Long Island."
Tickets for Rigoletto are $75 (limited VIP reserved seating and pre-show wine reception); $35 (orchestra); and $20 (balcony). Additionally, $20 tickets will be available to groups of 20-plus. To purchase tickets for the Oct. 6 performance of Rigoletto visit the Madison Theatre website at www.MadisonTheatreNY.org or call the box office at 516-678-5000.
For Rigoletto, contributors who make a $150 donation to Long Island Opera will receive two Supporter tickets to any one opera of the 2012-2013 season along, admission to the wine reception and an exquisite Italian opera print; for a $250 donation, contributors will receive two VIP tickets with above benefits plus preferred seating and backstage access. Contributions to Long Island Opera are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
To make a donation, obtain more information or join the Long Island Opera mailing list, visit the www.longislandopera.org or call (631) 772-9544.
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