Radio Presentation of "Rigoletto" Next Week

Radio Record, Volume II, Issue 37, 28 March 1929, Page 6

Radio Presentation of "Rigoletto" Next Week

EXT week, at 1YA and 2YA, on April 10 and 12, and afterwards at 3YA and 4YA, on Aprid 17 and 26, the first instalment of Verdi’s famous grand opera, "Rigoletto," will be presented. "Rigoletto" will be the second complete grand opera to be presented in radio form by the Broadcasting Company, and, as was the case in respect to the "Valkyrie," which was broadcast from 3YA and 4YA, it will be much appreciated by all who like grand opera but never -have the chance of seeing first-class productions. The radio presentation will also be in the nature } of informative entertainment to those listeners who are lovers of, but not well acquainted with, grand opera. ; In "Rigoletto" we have one of the great works of the master Verdi. It wus one of the operas which established his European reputation, for it possesses beauties of melody, harmony and orchestration, and subtleties in the presentation of character. "Rigoletto" had an interesting history. REATLY desiring a new libretto for the Venice Opera, Verdi requested Piave to adapt Victor Hugo’s play, "Le Roi s’ Amuse," which, in spite of its morals, was recognised by the composer to possess operatic possibilities. A libretto was soon written, the suggestive French title being changed to "La Maledizione." The work was urgently needed, and dismay followed the flat refusal of the police to grant permission for the performance of a work in which a king was shown in such dubious character. It will be remembered that Venice was then in Austrian hands, and but a short time previously, 1848-49, there had been an Italian insurrection. As Verdi refused to consider any other plan, the management was in despair. Help arrived from an unexpected quarter, for the Austrian police chief, Martello, was an ardent musical and dramatic enthusiast, and a great admirer of Verdi. He perceived that by substituting the Duke of Mantua for Francois I, and by changing the title to "Rigoletto" and arranging that all the curses should fall upon the duke of a small town, the work could be presented without any changes in the original dramatic situations. Verdi was reasonable over a but fundamental things, and accepted the changes. He went to Busseto, near his birthplace in the mountains, and came back within, six weeks with the competed score. The situation was saved, and a brilliant success was e result. eHINESUNEIUUQEULNESURCUIUELREHUREUSENOEUSUOUNUGUAU UROL UU