Rigoletto, Open7 Edition (Score)

Rigoletto, a cornerstone of Verdi’s middle period, premiered at La Fenice in Venice on March 11, 1851. Based on Victor Hugo’s controversial play Le Roi s’amuse, the opera unfolds around a hunchbacked court jester, his innocent daughter, and a libertine duke. Verdi sculpted a darkly emotional drama of power, vengeance, and doomed love. Its musical innovations—such as the powerful quartet "Bella figlia dell’amore"—redefined Italian opera. Verdi’s exploration of inner psychology and moral ambiguity in Rigoletto marked a turning point in his career and in 19th-century opera.

Rigoletto for Smaller Ensemble (7-9 players)

The Smaller Ensemble version is designed for maximum reduction without compromising musical integrity. It features a string quartet, three woodwinds, and piano. The piano part is not a vocal score, but a fully notated performance part, often playable with one hand, intended for the conductor or a designated player. It reinforces the ensemble in forte and fortissimo sections, ensuring depth and rhythmic clarity. With its balanced orchestration across winds, strings, and keyboard percussion, this version requires no special adjustments and offers a complete and practical solution for venues with limited resources or space. Rigoletto for Smaller Ensemble is under preparation and will require:

• Flute, oboe, clarinet
• String quartet with optional bass
• Piano or keyboard (conductor)

Open7 Edition

Open7 Editions are similar to the newer Smaller Ensemble versions.. The upgrade includes more options and higher printing standards, including cues in multi-rests and larger fonts. The Open7 Edition of Rigoletto will remain available until the Smaller Ensemble version is issued.