Saturday night's performance of "Rigoletto" was awarded a near unanimous standing ovation. Guest stage director Tito Copobianco grabbed the audience's attention with the first frozen view of the Mantuan court and kept it through the wild lamentation of the title character outside a storm swept rude hut.
The initial scene was a powerful swirl of courtiers, courtesans, sylph like dancers and debauchery. Tenor Nathan Payas sang the part of the philandering Duke with the panache and conscienceless brio that are a key to the character.
Andrew Oakden sang powerfully and literally hopped about like an evil toad as the vicious court jester Rigoletto.
Laura Vlasak Nolen contributed a strong mezzo and a wanton characterization as the assassin's assistant who falls for the handsome Duke.
Applause was generous for all the characters, but the loudest plaudits were for soprano Kristine Winkler as Gilda, the jester's daughter, who sacrifices her life for the wanton Duke.
One of the delights of "Rigoletto" is the way Verdi keeps musical action moving dynamically between the musicians singing on stage and the musicians playing in the pit. Conductor David Effron worked tirelessly to keep the give and take in balance as a director, a task master and even a cheerleader.
The IU Opera Theatre production of Verdi's "Rigoletto" will be repeated this Friday and Saturday evenings at eight in the Musical Arts Center.