Verdi's Rigoletto and Mantua... the true story

The name of Mantua is notorious in the world for having been chosen by Verdi as the set for his Opera “Rigoletto”. Actually the plot of the opera is fictional. At very first the beginning Verdi wanted to set the musical drama in Paris, at the court Francois I, depicting the king as an immoral and cynical womanizer. The Board of Censors would never have accepted this, because it would have seen as an offense against the dignity of the European kings reigning in that period. 

So Verdi decided to move the action of the Opera from the royal court of France to the duchy of Mantua: the Gonzaga Family had long been extinct by the beginning of 18th Century, and their Dukedom did not exist anymore. So nobody could be offended. 

As soon as the Opera “Rigoletto” became a theatrical triumph, the people in Mantua started to look for real places for its fictional story. So the rectory (parsonage) of the Cathedral, located in front of the Ducal Palace, began to be named “Rigoletto's house”.

A statue of Rigoletto, the fictitious inhabitant of the house, was made by Aldo Falchi in 1978, to be set in the garden.

The “Rigoletto” was first performed at La Fenice theatre in Venice, on March 11th 1851.

In 2010 a great live performance of “Rigoletto” has been broadcasted from Mantua. The cast included Placido Domingo (as Rigoletto), Vittorio Grigolo (as the Duke of Mantua) and Julia Novikova  (as Gilda). The Music has been conducted by Zubin Mehta.

Breaking news! Rigoletto on PBS on July 15th 2011

The Worldwide Broadcast, recorded Live in High Def at the actual locations of the Opera comes to “Great Performances” on Friday, July 15th at 9:30 p.m. ET on PBS (check local listings).

“Great Performances” is a production of THIRTEEN for WNET, one of America's most prolific and respected public media partners.

Maria Callas: A Woman, a Voice, a Myth

 

Maria Callas: A Woman, a Voice, a Myth: a rare exhibition of the great opera singer’s costumes, jewelry and memorabilia. From 1st May to 5th June 2011, the Callas’ exhibition takes place at Palazzo Te, Mantua.

On display the stage costumes worn by the Divine to play the roles of Turandot, Rosina, Violetta Valery, Tosca and Norma. And even a valuable selection of scene jewelry. Among them deserve a special mention the necklace made ​​by Luigi Sapelli, aka Caramba (historical costume designer of the Theatre 'La Scala' in Milan) for Aida, and the stage jewelry made for La Traviata by the firm Karmer New York based on designs of Christian Dior.
A wide range of evening and concert dresses (among them some of those worn during the last world tour, between 1973 and 1974). And even clothing related to privacy of Maria Callas, created mostly by Biki, Christian Dior and Yves Saint Laurent. Foremost among these the mousseline blouse in cream cotton by Yves Saint Laurent, worn by Callas on the yacht "Christina" of Aristotle Onassis. Another memorabilia related to the Callas' holidays on the "Christina " during the '60s is a collar of gold plated with a cascade of pearls and matching earrings.

In the marvellous Sala dei Giganti of the Palazzo Te, is displayed the costume used by Placido Domingo in Rigoletto, staged in Mantua in a worldwide telecast production (2010). The costume is exhibited togheter with the jester’s stick donated by Tito Gobbi to Maria Callas in 1955 and used in the first ever production of Rigoletto, at La Fenice in 1851.
Don't miss the occasion to meet - at the same time! - the magnificence of the Italian Art and the memories of one of the most iconic voices in the History of Opera. So contact us and make your guided tour a visit to be remembered!

Maria Callas: una donna, una voce, un mito: l'esposizione dedicata a costumi, gioielli e oggetti appartenuti alla grande cantante d'Opera è allestita a Palazzo Te, Mantova, dal 1 Maggio al 5 giugno 2011.
In mostra i costumi di scena indossati dalla Divina per vestire i panni di Turandot, Rosina, Violetta Valery, Tosca e Norma. E ancora una selezione di preziosi gioielli di scena. Tra questi meritano una menzione speciale la collana realizzata da Luigi Sapelli, in arte Caramba (storico costumista del Teatro 'La Scala' di Milano) per l'Aida, e i gioielli di scena realizzati per La Traviata dalla ditta Karmer New York su disegni di Christian Dior.
E ancora un'ampia scelta di abiti da sera e da concerto (tra i quali alcuni di quelli indossati durante l'ultimo tour mondiale, tra il 1973 e 1974). E anche abiti legati alla vita privata di Maria Callas, realizzati per lo più da Biki, Christian Dior e Yves Saint Laurent. Primo fra questi la camicetta in mussola di cotone color crema di Yves Saint Laurent, indossato da Maria Callas sullo yacht "Christina" di Aristotele Onassis. Un altro cimelio legato alle vacanze della Callas sul "Christina" durante gli anni '60 è una collana in metallo dorato con una cascata di perle e orecchini coordinati.
Nella splendida Sala dei Giganti di Palazzo Te, è invece esposto il costume utilizzato da Placido Domingo nel Rigoletto, trasmesso in diretta in mondovisione da Mantova nel 2010. Insieme al costume è esposto il bastone del giullare donato da Tito Gobbi a Maria Callas nel 1955, e utilizzato per la prima assoluta del Rigoletto, alla Fenice, nel 1851.
Non perdete l'occasione di incontrare - al tempo stesso! - la magnificenza dell'arte italiana ed il ricordo di una delle voci più rappresentative della storia dell'Opera. Contattateci e rendete la vostra visita guidata un'esperienza da ricordare!