The Historic Douglass Theatre, in partnership with the Central Georgia Opera Guild, will present the Metropolitan Opera’s latest production of “Rigoletto” during a Gala evening to celebrate the operatic production and end of the season. This new version of “Rigoletto” was originally seen live in movie theaters in February as part of the groundbreaking The Met: Live in HD series, which transmits live performances to more than 1,900 movie theaters and performing arts centers—including the Douglass Theatre—in 64 countries around the world. The broadcast of The Met: Live in HD’s “Rigoletto” at the Douglass is scheduled for Sunday, May 19, at 5 p.m.
Inspired by the antics of the infamous Rat Pack, director Michael Mayer has set his production of Verdi’s popular 1851 Italian tragedy of lust, betrayal, and revenge in depraved 1960 Las Vegas. For his operatic debut, the Tony award-winning director of “Spring Awakening” wanted to make the greed and corruption of the main characters more immediate, so he chose a place that seems to epitomize the pursuit of money, power and beauty that occurs in “Rigoletto.” According to the Met’s website, “Mayer’s vision is that the Duke is a local celebrity with his own casino; Rigoletto is a kind of hanger-on, living with Gilda out in the desert; Sparafucile is a trenchcoat-wearing thug; and Monterone is one of the Arab sheiks who visit Las Vegas.”
“In presenting this upcoming encore performance of ‘Rigoletto,’ the Douglass Theatre celebrates the completion of a successful sixth year of bringing The Metropolitan Opera: Live in HD to Central Georgia,” stated director Gina Ward. She added, “We look forward to announcing our schedule for the 2013-14 opera season during this Gala evening.”
Standard fare during each opera broadcast at the Douglass entitles guests to experience the Met performance and partake of champagne during intermissions. For this Gala celebration, guests will enjoy an assortment of appetizers and wines as they arrive for the welcoming reception. Then, a light dinner will be served as the main course during the first intermission, while the second intermission will feature a dessert course of fancy cakes, “farewell” chocolates and champagne.
Rosemary Spiegel, president of CGOG, stated, “We are excited about the Met operas at the Douglass Theatre and want to encourage everyone to come experience these masterpieces. There is no doubt that they will want to come again and again after seeing one of these world-class performances in their own backyard.”
To obtain more information about the performance, call the Douglass Theatre at 478-742-2000, or visit the Website at www.douglasstheatre.org by May 15, 2013 to purchase tickets.
