The Schenkenberg Opera in Aargau is the largest open-air opera festival in German-speaking Switzerland and is known for its enchanting, elaborately designed open-air backdrops and the top soloists it hires every year. After Carmen (2010) on Feldschenplatz in Schinznach-Dorf and "Il trovatore" (2013) in a large nursery, the festival now continues in Brugg-Windisch with Verdi's "Rigoletto".This year, the festival site is located between the River Aare and the Mülimatt gymnasium, which forms the back of the stage with its modern architecture. The grandstand with almost 1900 seats completely surrounds the stage, creating a space that is practically closed off from the outside world and protected from noise, ensuring undisturbed enjoyment of the opera, even in rainy weather.
International star soloists at the open-air opera spectacle
This year's soloists include the Chinese soprano Sen Guo - the soloist at Zurich Opera House will sing Gilda - and Anooshah Golesorkhi, a charismatic baritone with Persian roots who is at home at New York's Metropolitan Opera, the Vienna State Opera and countless other leading opera houses around the world. Golesorkhi will embody the male lead role of "Rigoletto" for the Schenkenberg Opera production.
Peter Bernhard, driving force and artistic director, will also be on stage again this year as a soloist: He is a tenor and sings the role of the Duke of Mantua. Peter Bernhard is looking forward to this year's production: "The sophisticated architecture with its ostentatious and mighty struts is an incredible challenge for any set designer. The director and costume designer need a special, stringent and yet highly emotional concept. Everything is demanded of the singers on this platter, where every detail, every twitch and rain is mercilessly visible. Rigoletto is bel canto and demands the highest technical standards and great musicality."
Love, revenge and rousing opera hits
"Rigoletto" is also considered Giuseppe Verdi's masterpiece. The story of the immoral Duke of Mantua, who makes a pass at the daughter of his court jester (and various other ladies), can certainly be read as social criticism - those who have, simply take what they want. Parallels can be drawn with various heads of state around the world. However, the opera-drama Rigoletto, based on Victor Hugo's work "Le roi s'amuse", is by no means simple. All the characters - the Duke, his court jester Rigoletto, the scheming courtiers, the amorous Gilda - are mutually dependent on each other. And Giuseppe Verdi has set this exciting psychological dramaturgy to music congenially. The result: almost all the duets and arias, for example "La donna è mobile", "Caro nome" and the quartet "Bella figlia dell'amore", have become worldwide hits.
Our tip: go, drink a Cüpli, listen to the top singers and crickets. And secretly hum along.
RIGOLETTO - OPERA SCHENKENBERG
11 - 27.08.2016, Windisch-Brugg
TICKETS
