Passionate Performance

Giuseppe Verdi is one of the most adored Italian composers of dramatic yet tuneful operas featuring sweeping stories that are very human at their hearts. His Rigoletto is a soaring tale of a cruel, deformed court jester whose only joy in life is his innocent daughter, who he keeps hidden from the licentious Duke he serves. When the Duke seduces the young woman, Rigoletto hires an assassin to take revenge, but the plan backfires and his noble daughter pays the ultimate price. The new production at Florida Grand Opera features world-renowned Verdi Baritone, Todd Thomas, in the title role. It’s one of his signature roles, and he’s performed it over 30 times to great acclaim. He’s joined by Canadian Soprano Sharleen Joynt, an operatic coloratura and former The Bachelor contestant, as his daughter, Gilda. Argentinian-Spanish-American Tenor Jose Simerilla Romero makes his FGO debut as the lecherous Duke of Mantua; Mar. 12-17 @ Adrienne Arsht Center; Mar. 31 & Apr. 2 at Broward Center; FGO.org.