Be sure to write you full name and class period on the first line of your entry.
Write at least 15 sentences in which you discuss you your observations of the opera. In your discussion you can write about the singing, the orchestra, the sets, costumes, lighting, the concept of the production, any aspect of the performance. I'm not so much interested in whether you liked it or not, but I'm much more interested in what you observed and it that worked to create an overall positive production and performance. Give concrete specific examples. For example, don't say, "I liked the costumes," but rather say, "I liked how the costumes helped to create this or that sort of social environment. For example, when Maddelena shows up in ... it creates the effect of ..."
And as always be brilliant, insightful, individual, and creative. Do not say the same thing everyone else says. Thank you.
First and foremost, I absolutely loved tonights opera. I thought it was very well done, the singing was great& the actors were really into their characters& seemed to portray them well. There were a couple changes between the version we read in class of the opera& the actual opera, like a name or two. But I thought the characters held pretty true to what we read in class beforehand. I thought the orchestra played very beautiful music, and for a dress rehearsel they, and all the cast seemed to be pretty on point! I liked the orchestra& thought their music was beautiful, because a lot if it was dramatic, and added to the dramatic parts of the play. One part of the play that sticks out in my mind is the scene when the assassin kills Gilda, the music was very climatic& added to the intensity of the scene. That was my favorite scene as well, I liked the singing back and forth between Gilda& her father.This scenes music kind of made you sit on the edge of your seat waiting for everything to unfold. I loved the costumes, because they really looked authentic to the time period. I liked the confetti in the opening scene as well, I thought it was fun and unexpected and added to their fun party mood. The whole opera was great, the incredible singing (especially from Gilda, who I thought stole the show with her beautiful voice and acting), the unique/ authentic costumes, the sets and everything really worked together to create a lovely, fun performance. I liked the second half better, because of course all the climax parts of the play occur there. Lastly, over and over I kept thinking of how much I loved the sets! Some plays we've seen don't really change sets much, like Much Ado about Nothing. In contrast, they had multiple house room sets, a party set in the opening scene and many more! Great opera& I am glad I got to see Rigoletto this year!
ReplyDeleteArthur Gulledge
ReplyDeleteP 4
The King’s Diversion was a marvelous story, so I had high expectations for the opera Rigoletto. I wholly enjoyed the opera for several reasons. The orchestra and the music is always the best part, as it complements the action superbly. I liked how the music would abruptly stop to highlight the singers holding a note. This made the singing stand out more, but at other times I felt I couldn’t hear the singing because the music was too loud. I’m usually upset when productions modernize the setting, but I feel because the story could happen during any time, that the 1930’s setting fit well. The costumes seemed too similar to each other that I couldn’t tell who was who at first. Everyone was dressed fancy, that I couldn’t find the Duke at first. The beginning party seemed too fast paced, and didn’t explore Rigoletto’s character well enough. The characters do fit in well with the new modern setting, even with the old lyrics. I thought that the Duke should’ve been a little older as other interpretations I’ve seen had him as a larger and a more powerful threat. The lyrics did get a little repetitive, like with Rigoletto’s saying that he got cursed, but that repetition made those lines important, and stand out. The sets were on a grand scale, with huge set pieces like the houses, but I really liked the lighting. The lighting in the act II Duke’s palace was stunning as it looked like there was sunlight coming from the left side of the stage. Overall, the production was very rock-solid and very well done.
Andrew Park
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According to the performance of Rigoletto, it sparked a message to society. The message was cemented by the ending where Gilda, Maddelena and Rigoletto die but the Duke doesn't. It shows that in society, the evil tend to last longer and the good die young. The opera also shows that the evil's long existance is what makes a cruel world. The story of Rigoletto itself brought zero sadness since the death of Rigoletto, Gilda, and Maddalena since they eventually leave the cruel world and into peace. As of the orchestra, I was able to see Verdi's ability to create a good balance of the acts and music in a theatric style. The sets resemble the romance in the time period Verdi composed Rigoletto. As of the characters, my favorite character was Gilda. She had a stunning high pitch voice that brought the romance into the opera. I felt that Verdi could have made the opera less tragic if Gilda survived regardless of what happens to Rigoletto as long as the Duke dies. As of the Duke, the actor did a stellar job showcasing the complexity of the character. His beautiful singing of his arias showcased his handsomeness on the outside and his horrible antics on the inside. It showed an example of a 3D character where they are on the good and the bad side. As of the sets, it resembled the luxuries of romance in a setting of despair. I enjoyed how the lightning represents the moment of tragedy in act 3. It started the beginning of the undeserved fate of Rigoletto, Gilda, and Maddalena. It also showed the Duke's antics at its worst. Overall, the performance was stellar for an opera with a depressing ending. After the performance, I felt that there were multiple ways Verdi could have changed the story and converted a tragic play into a comic opera.
Danielle Knapik
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The Rigoletto performance last night was very well done and demonstrated to me what a 'good opera' consists of. First, for some reason I felt myself paying attention to the set at times more so than the people or subtitles. During the last scene, when the house was faced toward the audience as the daughter was killed, I noticed there were small details in the set, but little physical objects. I was able to see briefly into what looked like a small kitchen area, but everything was very simply done. Had the sets and backdrops been anymore appealing, the focus would have been hard to stay linked to the actual performance. Secondly, the talent was outstanding- the low notes that some of the performers were able to hit were notes that I have never heard, especially in person as such. Being able to perform a play basically, and sing through the whole entire sing takes so much more stamina and ability that it seems. The way they perform seems effortless and I found myself getting into almost a trance like state as they sang long pieces, and then after some time had passed I would notice that the same song was still going, they weren't out of breath and it sounded just as good as the first note. I think the way they acted and with the vague use of subtitles it was easy enough to follow what was happening and it definitely helped that we spent in depth time understanding the plot in the classroom. Knowing what is happening and when made it easier to be interested in the opera and keep my attention draw, because I was interested in how they were going to do things. I had wondered how they were going to do the last scene when the daughter ends up being killed, and was able to anticipate that scene and be enthused in how they treated that particular event.
Gracie Legg
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The performance of Rigoletto was done extremely well. They couldnt have done a better job. I thought that they were very clear with how they were trying to present it. Their costumes were very cool to see. I loved how they looked and it was just so pretty, especially the dresses. I think that all the characters did really good performing. This was just the dress rehearsal, so it would be even better to see the actual performance.The actors must have been so tired because there is so much dancing. They all did a really nice job dancing. It was a really cool experience. Although it was really long it didnt seem as long as it was. I really enjoyed watching this performance and I cant wait until the next one we go to. But I don't think it will be able to top this one. It made me understand what we read in the classroom a lot ore. It was really cool to see what we read because even though it wasnt in english there were subtitles and we already read it. This was done extremely well and I would tell others to go see this opera, it changed my opinion a bit about operas.
Mallori Lindberg, Period 4
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed this Opera a lot more than the Daughter of the Regiment! I think the costumes and overall scenery caused me to enjoy this production a lot more. For an example, in the introduction the costumes really caught my attention. They looked similar to what the characters wore on the Great Gatsby! The pool table, bar and scenery created the image of the early 1900's. I am not sure what the name of the song is, but the scene where the father and daughter were singing a duet really caught my attention! They were singing over each other, different lyrics and rhythms and it worked really well together. The low voice of Rigoletto off set the high notes of Gilda. I also really enjoyed the last scene. The thunder and lightning effect was very cool! The back screen came down with rain, sounds of thunder and the flash of lightning made you feel as if you were really in that scene. This was a cool effect since Rigoletto was realizing that his daughter was the one in the sack, before he could tell her that he loved her. The actors and scenery worked really well together in that scene, giving the tragic effect. Even though it was a dress rehearsal, I was very impressed with the orchestra and flow of the scenes. It amazes me how well the opera singers can project their voices without a microphone for such long periods of time! I enjoyed this opera and made me appreciate the art a lot more!
Brandon Penoyer
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I'm going to have to start of by restating that the story of the opera lowered my opinion of the production greatly. Which I think was unfortunate, I'm sure I'd of enjoyed it a lot more if the story was different. The performers did an excellent job singing their parts, especially the duke. He sounded almost exactly like the recording we played in class when singing La donna è mobile, it was almost frightening how close the two resembled each other. Sparafacile was also a very impressive singer. I was unaware a voice could become that deep, especially when he was walking away from Rigoletto during his first scene. The length of the final note and how well it was projected to the large crowd were both amazing. I just wish I liked the story more, I may have loved the Opera, but instead I only thought of it as being average.
Laney McFarland
ReplyDeleteI loved Rigoletto, although i really wish they'd start translating these operas into English. The language barrier is really irritating, and not understanding it takes away from the overall performance.I also thought by the end it cleared up alot of my unanswered questions. A huge thing i noticed and thought was really cool were the sets, so big and changed often. And the costumes were stunning as well, it was almost as if the opera was written as if he could see into the future and new itd be preformed taking place in the 20's. I was very impressed when Gilda did her solo, i cant imagine holding out those notes for such a long time without breathing. Overall id say i really enjoyed it, and it set my expectations a little higher for next time.
Elena Wagar
ReplyDeleteThe performance of Rigoletto was well done. I think this would have been better in english. It was hard to follow along with what they were doing and trying to read the subtitle at the same time. The costumes were very cool. I loved all the dresses, my favorite dress was the green dress in the very beginning of the opera. I loved the set in the beginning of show with the pool table and all the cast out on stage singing and pretending to play pool and talking. I loved the background sets! They were very well done. My favorite set was with the thunder and lightning it really got your attention. They all did a great job singing and you could hear them very well over the instruments. My favorite song was "La donna è mobile". Overall this was a well done opera. It has been my favorite one so far.
Spencer Read
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I actually enjoyed Rigoletto more than any of the other performances. This is because by reading the subtitles, and watching the characters interact, it was pretty easy to keep up with. I found it interesting when they had a big screen hanging down with a picture on it. These gave members of the audience to ponder. It gave individuals something to truly interpret, and try to understand. It was interesting, often times, to try to understand the picture on the screen, and understand what it meant and who it related to in the characters. It made the play almost more interactive with the audience. There was always a lot of drama. One could always tell when there was dispute, and who it was between. The costumes were very well done as well, and always fit the characters well. Most of all, the cast did a great job. They moved with such confidence, as expected. They all portrayed their characters so well in every aspect. Voices, actions, and physical movements were all perfect for the designated character. This, along with a wonderfully built set, made for a very good performance.
Abbey Folsom
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This was an amazing production of Rigoletto. I found that all the preparation we did in class was really helpful so I didn't have to keep reading the subtitles and I understood what was going on throughout the performance. I felt like the beginning was a little slow while they were setting up the opera but once it got into the plot the opera just flew by. The singing was beautiful! I loved how they included the cavatina and then transitioned into the cabeletta which showed the Duke's two sides of him. One side thinking he could be honest and true to Gilda and then once he found out she was in his house then he turned back to his playboy ways. I think my favorite singer was probably Sparafucile, the way he held out that note when walking away was just amazing. The father/daughter duets between Rigoletto and Gilda were absoutely beautiful and I can see why Verdi was known for those kinds of duets. I absolutely loved the sets. They were simple but extravagant at the same time. The curtain with the pictures on it was a little confusing to how it went with the opera but it was a great tool to have the audience think about how it went together. The opening scene when everyone is at a party was probably my favorite scene. The costumes were outstanding! Countess Ceprano's dress was my favorite. I would definitely go see this opera again.
Byron Murray
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The Opera Rigoletto was a very interesting performance in my opinion. There were some parts of the play that were very cool and unique that made the play very enjoyable compared to other performances we have seen this year. One thing that I really enjoyed was how they were able to set the play in a different time period that was in the future of when the play was originally made. However, despite the fact that the play took place in a different time period the play still managed to stay completely the same in regards to the plot and story. Another part of the play that was cool was how the costumes were able to show social status because the richer and more important people had more elaborate clothing than the other less important characters. Another thing that the costumes did was that they really matched the whole seduction theme of the play and seemed very appropriate compared to the clothing from other time periods. The actors gesturing made interpreting the play much easier because they were very easy to understand and interpret so you could understand what was going on in the play much better. The music was another very unique aspect of the film and seemed to match what was going on in the play completely. The music also helped to set the whole tone of the scene and significantly influenced the way a scene was played out and how it was interpreted. The part of the play that I enjoyed the most was the fact that they had translations of what was being said displayed so you could follow the story a lot easier than in other performances. The plot of the play was also easier to follow and understand than the daughter of the regiment so it that made the whole performance more enjoyable.
Isabelle Carson
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The opera Rigoletto was very good in my opinion. The actors played the parts well and the singing was superb. The costumes were fantastic and really added something to the story. The costumes matched the characters while still having a typical 1930’s Italian look to them. The higher-class characters wore more flamboyant costumes with more accessories and the lower class, like Rigoletto or Gilda, wore really simplistic clothing. Even the soldier’s costumes were specific. I really liked the sets. They were pretty simple but I liked that you could see the differences between the Duke’s house and Rigoletto’s house. For one you could only see one room of the Duke’s house. His house was really decorated with artwork and props. Rigoletto’s house was very plain and the audience could see the entire thing. It was obvious that the house had been worn down by the war. Both characters had props that represented their characters. The Duke had a huge painting of himself, which shows that he is very egotistical. He also had a giant sculpture of The Rape of Persephone; this could indicate his love of taking other people’s women. Rigoletto basically only had a table with chairs as the main props, which shows how poor he actually was.
Arezu Abdollmohammadi
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Rigoletto was the best performance we have been to in my opinion. Understanding the story beforehand made the opera more enjoyable. I felt like i didn't need to constantly look at the subtitles because I mostly knew what was going on. I loved so many aspects of the opera. For starters, I loved the sets. They really used all the space they could, yet it didnt seem cluttered on stage. There were also big differences between Rigolettos house and the Dukes house. The Dukes house was all brightly lighted and weathly looking. But Rigolettos house was very plain and grey. This showed that he was not very wealthy. The only bright color coming from Rigolettos house was Gilda, his daughter, who had a lovely colored dress of some sort on. To me, it showed that thats what brought light and happiness to his house. He may not of had any materialistic items in his house like the Duke, but he had his daughter and thats all he needed. Another aspect of the opera that i enjoyed was the orchestra. I love orchestra music and hearing it live was wonderful. I thought it was cool that some of the music matched up with the characters emotions and their actions. My favorite song was La dona e mobile. I have heard that song everywhere, yet never knew where it originated from. I thought it was awesome being able to know now. Overall the actors did a wonderful job for it just being a rehearsal. I would see it again in a heartbeat, it was that amazing.
Chris Root
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The Rigoletto performance was done very well. Everything from the acting to the costumes to the effects were phenomenal. The costumes matched the characters perfectly, and were displayed so well. I noticed how they even included more detail in the kings house, as it was lit up and decorated well. Rigolettos house was displayed as more of a boring, grey and plain scene. Everyone portrayed their character marvelously. Voices, actions, costumes, everything matched wonderfully. The only aspect of this performance i didnt like is that it was not in English. I hate having to look at the subtitles because it takes my eye off of the acting. Overall i Enjoyed myself, and I am looking forward to the next performance. .
Claire Kennedy
ReplyDeletePeriod 3
I thought Rigoletto was more interesting to watch than The Daughter of the Regiment, but still not exactly exciting. The set was very well thought out and definitely added to each scene. Everything seemed in place and put there for a reason. I liked how they had two scenes showing the opposite side of the same room. It was cool to see they really thought out where everything would be. I noticed there were quite a few extra cast members that didn't really have a huge role. However, they definitely added to the scene and I'm sure were just as talented. The singing was so impressive, as always, even if it isn't what I would choose to listen to. I know I couldn't even imagine being able to sing that well. I completely respect the actors and actresses for their incredible talent, like I have said for most all of the other shows. Just because I didn't really enjoy the show doesn't mean they aren't amazing. Part of the reason I didn't get into it was because I really didn't like the plot line. It was honestly just uncomfortable and awkward to me. Not to mention there wasn't really a resolution to the entire story. It didn't feel like a complete story. But regardless, I thought the opera was very well thought out and included many talents, but probably not something I would see again.
Bryia Madison
ReplyDeletePeriod 3
The preformance of Rigolleto was just beautiful. The emotions portrayed by the actors and through their singing were just beautiful. I couldn't believe how well Rigoletto's sorrow was portrayed by his actor. The sets were also well done. I thought that it was very clever of the director to have the first set shown later on in the opera but from a different angle. However, I could have sworn that the statue of the two people was in the wrong place,but they did a good job creating a difference feel by using the same props. I also liked that the weather was in sync with the emotions of the characters. The last set with the murder and Rigoletto really showed the troublesome thoughts along with the anxiety that Rigolleto and his daughter, Gilda, had during that scene with the stormy weather featuring the rain and the lightening. Also, one could eaily tell with out the actors being present which sets were going to accompany tragic scenes or happy ones with the lighting. The carefree and heartfelt scenes had very warm and light lightening, while the mysterious and sorrowful scenes had the dark, ominous scenes. Overall, I was very impressed with how well done the opera was.
Joey Keating
ReplyDeleteP.4
Rigolleto was the most clear and concise play we have seen yet. By reading the sub-titles trough out the play you are much more able to follow along and see what's really going on. Also, seeing how elegant and well put together the characters costumes were, it really helps show whats going on and the setting they are in. Some of the costumes would represent people in their homes or people inside of large buildings surrounded by others. The combination of singing, music, and sub-titles made the play feel and sound as if it was a smooth running machine. Everybody their was working and interacting well with each other and it really showed. The attention to detail was also done very well. By this I mean you could tell how magnificent the Kings house was by how bright and well lit it was inside and also by the decorations that there were. I always like going to the plays where people play their part to perfection making it as if they don't even have to act because they are so into their part, And Rigolleto was definitely one of those performances.
Mack Ohnemus
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I made many observations about this opera. I would like to focus on the lighting and the set. In the first act, while at the Duke's house, I noticed a clear streak of a tower being lit to not being lit directly. I'm not sure whether there was a light burnt out, or if the light cue was written incorrectly. Another thing with the lighting that i just loved was in the third act. During the storm, strobe lights were used to represent lightning, which I think is just a brilliant idea. I knew this was going to happen even before I walked into house as I saw a notice of it on a TV screen. I think it would be awesome for Woodinville's Drama department to use this technique. Back to the Duke's house, why does he have a tower in his house?!? This was really strange to me and I wonder why the director had put it there. Another thing I noticed about the set was the statue. In the first act, it was up-right, and in the second it was bottom-right. If the statue had followed the rules and plan of movement of everything else, it would have been bottom-left in the second act. Our new perspective in the second act was opposite of that of the first act. Everything rotated around the stage 180 degrees, except the statue.
Sophea Thach
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I liked the opera Rigoletto. I like the cast they chose, especially who they chose to play for Rigoletto and Gilda. I enjoyed the singing in the opera. I was amazed at how some men were able to hit very low notes. I was also amazed with how Gilda could hit very high notes. When I watch the opera I can't believe how they have the strength to sing throughout the majority of the opera and still perform their best. I liked hearing the orchestra and how it worked with the actors/actresses singing. I however, didn't like how I had to keep reading subtitles to know what they were saying. At some times I knew what was happening but it would be nice to have an opera be in English and not have to look at subtitles then back to the opera. I liked the set throughout the whole opera also. How at first it started with a pool table and the statue and everything and the cast was playing pool. The costumes also fit in with the time region that this opera was built in so that was cool. I liked at the end of the opera when Rigoletto and Gilda were watching the Duke and there was thunder and lightning to make it overall mysterious and terrifying. To Rigoletto losing his daughter then to her dying in the end and how he showed his feelings really made the opera.
Julia McMichael
ReplyDeleteHumanities Per.3
I really enjoyed this opera! I liked the father and daughter story in it, I haven’t ever seen a father and daughter focused story. It was something new for me. Something else that I thought was interesting was that the story really brought light to the way women were treated by men with power during that era. During the opera I didn’t like the set in the first scene. The statue, the painting, the chairs, and the pool table just didn’t look right to me. It seemed off, and didn’t look put together. I really liked the Italian home set with the ivy growing on it. I thought it was beautiful. I also liked how it was two stories, so that the characters while singing could have a more dynamic movement. Like my favorite parts of the opera when the father and daughter were singing their duet while one is on the stairs and the other on the first floor. I thought the duet was really beautiful and showed a lot of emotion between them. I also thought the ending scene where the father and daughter were listening from the outside was very well done. It really portrayed how he was a liar and was not in love with the daughter. One aspect I didn’t like of the opera was that the father had tried his hardest to protect his daughter from the world, and she ends up not only being hurt by two different men but killed in the process. Even though I didn’t like how it ended I think that it was a really good story and showed how women were treated. Overall it was very well done and I enjoyed it more than the last opera.
Desirae Lopes
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I observed that the singing was not quite as loud as it has been in the past. The singing was beautiful but was projected as much as other operas I have seen. In the opening act I enjoyed the feeling of being in a pub or a high class dining room. The pool table acted as an important prop when the drunk woman was laying across it. When I saw the statue it seemed out of place in such a elegant room. I understand the symbolism of the ancient story of the abduction, but thought they could incorporate that connection in a less obvious way. The lighting was beautiful. The lightning in the final act was paired perfectly with the orchestra. In the third act, the setting was the same as the first act, but from a different angle. This was confusing and did not enhance the performance as much as a different setting would have. The costumes were perfect for this opera. Having the woman wear similar style dresses in different colors solidified the idea that woman are one in the same. Also, the fabric was silk and showed the shape of the woman's body which made the women seen promiscuous and easy. The closing act's setting was not what I imagined. They did, however, make it work and the river being close added a lot to the opera.
Lily Kristjanson
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Compared to the last opera we saw, I found Rigoletto to be much more enjoyable. My stronger understanding from our readings in class may have been a large factor. The extremely detailed and realistic sets of this opera were also another factor. The virtual rain and lightening strikes intensified the serious acts of the opera. Without it, I would not have felt as much emotion during the final few scenes. Throughout the entire opera I had a good understanding of each of the characters. The quality acting and emotion portrayed by the actors, allowed me to identify each character right away. My only complaint would be the duration of the opera. I felt as though the same storyline could have been told just as successfully in a shorter amount of time. Having the two intermission was a nice break, but caused me to slightly lose interest. The father and daughter duets were very powerful, but again slightly too long. Overall, I did appreciate and enjoy Rigoletto. Though I had dislikes about the opera, they were not strong enough to impact my enjoyment of it. I would recommend Rigoletto to others who enjoy the arts.
Payton Tirrell
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I really enjoyed Rigoletto. It was very cool how they performed it. I also really enjoyed the cast they chose for the performance. I understood exactly was happening in the story. I also knew exactly what was gonna happen next. I liked that cause it made me think abou the performance in a different way. I wasnt just watching it but I was understanding it and I guess in a way annotating it. Its kinda like when you read a book and then watch a movie based on that book. You always end up comparing the two. The movies are almost never the same as the book. But that was not the case with this Opera. They followed the plot exactly. I think if they hadn't followed the plot/ script exactly it would of taken away from performance and it wouldnt have been as good. I enjoyed the last act and the way they performed it. I found it really interesting and very artistic and beautiful. It was a great way to end the performance. Its like a band or musician ending their concert with their best song. It makes it so the audience leaves with the best part of the performance fresh in their mind.
Austin Stenberg
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The Opera Rigoletto was well performed because the use of the different time periods in their advantage. The characters social status was very well known by the style of cloths they were wearing. The orchestra displayed the mood of the characters along with the tone of their voices. This helped me interpret what type of situation the characters were in. It also set the tone and pace of the performance. Both of them corresponded nicely together. The actors gestures and movements helped display the emotion that the characters were felling and embracing throughout the performance. The subtitles helped me understand what was being said between characters which drew my attention away from what was being done on stage. That’s one of the parts that I disliked the most. But otherwise Rigoletto was very impressively performed.
Jace Brandmeier
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I think so far I would have to say that this has been my favorite opera. First off I thought that the variety of sets drastically added to the opera. In previous operas like daughter of the regiment, where there was only 2 sets; I thought that it made it kind of boring. I also liked how the sets looked like actual places instead of a colored background. The lights I thought was good overall, it was also cool that they added the lightning effect towards the end. For the orchestra I thought that it was good like usual. Nothing really stood out as particularly good or bad. All the costumes I thought were good; I could easily recognize them by what they were wearing. I thought that the singing was particularly good. All the actors sang very well. Their acting completed their singing to make one good performance. This opera made me understand better, why people like to go to operas. It defiantly told a story and I could easily follow along. For being in Italian, it was still very good. Even the subtitles were readable and could be read, while still watching the opera.
Jessica Bruce
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I can honestly say that this was my favorite performance we have gone to so far. I really enjoyed the costumes especially the dresses. The opening scene was gorgeous! The grand hall, shimmery dresses, and handsome suits were so pretty and it was a great way to begin the opera. I was again amazed by the singers talent, I think my jaw just about dropped off when Gilda was lying on her back and singing such precise notes. Her range was amazing and each note was so crisp, accurate, and the sound carried so far! Im sure most people already know this, but it is so hard to sing laying down! Well it is hard to sing in any position besides standing or sitting up straight but it would be especially difficult to sing such high notes while laying on one's back. All in all I really enjoyed the performance. I already knew the story line pretty well so it was easy to understand what was happening without reading every single subtitle. Im excited to see the next one!
Kristina Lebakken
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I definitely enjoyed this opera more than the last one. For me this one was much easier to understand. That might just be that we spent a lot if time going over it in class. I think I was better prepared going into this one. Something I noticed was how real the sets felt. Especially the last set. I loved the skyline with the storm. The background had so much depth to it, and it felt very real with the shades of green and purple. With the already intense scene the lightning just made it even more intense. Also just the sets overall were so impressive. I found myself thinking how they moved them around and did it so quickly. They looked so heavy! This made me understand why they had two intermissions. I also really enjoyed the first scene with everyone at that part dancing. The dresses the women were wearing were beautiful. I think the acting also was really done well, along with the subtitles I could really follow the opera. The orchestra was great and it really helped me feel the intensity in some scenes. The song in I believe the last scene, that we had listened to in class and you said was the more famous song that was in commercials was stuck in my head all night! Overall I really enjoyed Rigoletto and I thought the singing, and the sets were the best part.
Grace Nelson
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Out of the two operas that we’ve seen I enjoyed The Daughter of the Regiment more than Rigoletto. However, I found Rigoletto more interesting. I say this because the plot and characters of Rigoletto are very different, one could even say strange, whereas the plot of The Daughter of the Regiment was fairly straight forward and basic. This opera seemed a little slower going and mysterious which is why I think I liked The Daughter of the Regiment better because it was a little more cheery and fast paced. I find it interesting how different these operas are compared to each other. I really appreciated the dramatic effects used in this performance. The projector screen and the lighting effects were very appealing. These effects kept me drawn to the stage and intrigued. In my opinion the stage effects are almost more important than the plot because the effects are the aspects that melt in your mind and add to the experience. I also found the costumes and sets very beautiful and realistic. I liked how there were several sets being switch in and out during the course of the opera because it kept my interest. I feel like for this performance I had a pretty good understanding on what this opera was about going into it but being able to see it in action was pretty cool and cleared up any confusion that I once had. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this production and I was quite impressed. I would definitely go see it again or at least recommend it to someone.
Mimi Gerhardt, Period 4
ReplyDeleteAfter seeing The Daughter of the Regiment, I wasn't too sure I would enjoy Rigoletto. Seeing as Daughter of the Regiment was my first opera, I found it very challenging to follow. However, contrary to what I set myself up for, I really enjoyed Wednesday's opera. It seemed easier to follow the subtitles because we already practiced with the previous opera. Though this had a harder plot to follow as well as explain than The Daughter of the Regiment, I surprisingly enjoyed it a lot more and understood it easier. I'll always wish that the operas we see are actually in English, because I won't have to continuously have to look at the subtitles, but Rigoletto seemed much easier to understand. I believe it's because I enjoyed reading it more than I enjoyed The Daughter of the Regiment. The sets never fail to be magnificent; I'm always shocked when I see the sets because they use so much detail. I feel like I'm actually in the setting this opera would have taken place! The singing, as always, is phenomenal. I occasionally forget the fact that no microphones are used! Overall, I really enjoyed Rigoletto. I wasn't expecting it to be as long as it was, but nevertheless, I was very impressed with the production of the opera. This has been my favorite show we've gone to this year!
Ashley Glinn
ReplyDeletePeriod 3
I wish I had almost attended Rigoletto first before seeing The Daughter of the Regiment just because I was absolutely enthralled while watching this opera compared to the previous one. I loved the stage sets, the buildings were huge! I spent half of the opera just trying to figure out how they were able to move the entire set out onto the stage so easily and how they were able to switch set designs so quickly as well. I loved that the actors/actresses were able to go into an upstairs room in one of the buildings, it made the entire scene more dynamic and the entire stage was used almost entirely during the opera. I also loved the beginning of the Opera when there was a dance occuring at Rigoletto's house and all of the women were dressed in luxurius gowns and the men in their tuxes, it definitely helped defined the royalty and power that was held at Rigoletto's palace. Compared to the Daughter of the Regiment, I was able to follow the opera easily and I actually found the subtitles to be really beneficial this time, where as last time I struggled to keep up reading the subtitles and watching the opera at the same time. The symphony was outstanding as well, I was sitting in one of the last rows at the very top of the theater, and I could hear every single note that was played perfectly. The music definitely added to the emotion and helped the production move along smoothly and swiftly. After watching Rigoletto, I definitely appreciate operas more and I wouldn't mind attending another opera in my future.
Katie Daniels
ReplyDeletePeriod 4
The performance of Rigoletto was really enjoyable for me. Before the show, i was reminded it was an Opera, and it was not in english. Right then, i was not excited to see the show, and thought it would be a total bore. However, once the show started i realized i was terribly wrong, and caught myself really enjoying the show and became really interested in the set. What made the performance so great for me was the characters. They all did such a phenomenal job on the parts, and added such great emotion to the show. Another part that made my experience so enjoyable was how well the set was done and the props. The background lighting and noises played along with the characters made the show more realistic.The father and daughter duets were very powerful in my opinion, and played extremely well. The scene of the stabbing in my opinion was full of emotion, and the orchestra did an amazing job creating it. However, i think the show could have had a better ending. Though I had dislikes about the opera, they were not strong enough to affect my enjoyment of it. I did feel that the show was slightly too long, and the intermissions could have been shorter. Otherwise, i would definitely recommend others to see the show.
I really enjoyed seeing Rigoletto this week, it is one of my favorite shows that i have seen this year. I found it to be a much better overall production than Daughter of the Regiment was. My first live opera was Daughter of the Regiment, which didn't make too much of an impression of me, but Rigoletto was a much better show in my opinion. I was already familiar with some the music of Verdi from being in band and so i had a general idea of his style, which made me excited to see this show. The orchestra did a wonderful job with the light dances and interlude music. Along with that, they did a great job with the dynamic contrast, which really added to emotions and gave the singers a great set up. It was cool where they had people move from the pit to play and give the effect of muffled music, or at least that's what it appeared to be from where i was sitting. I thought that the setting was an interesting choice, and it worked well and i liked how it made the show seem more modern, while still taken place a long time ago. The costumes all looked great and i thought it was funny when they paid homage to the actual setting and Rigoletto put on the jester hat at the start. The actor who played Rigoletto did a great job of playing a convincing hunchback. Everything from the way he presented himself, to his limp and swaying walk made him seem much more believable. Another actor that really impressed me was the thief. He had such a unique and deep voice, and it perfectly fit the dark nature of him being a murderer and his voice just cut through the other sounds in a really good way. All of the actors did gave an amazing performance, and their singing was much more impressive then anything else i have ever seen. Some of the songs had such a large range and it was great to hear them hit all of the notes. The parts were all portrayed well, not just Rigoletto, but he definitely stood out the most to me. I really enjoyed this show and it will be hard to beat as one of my favorites from this year.
ReplyDeleteJoshua Scheck
ReplyDeletePeriod 3
Generally, I thought that the opera was very successful in almost every way it was implemented. Although the plot was quite intricate compared to other operas, it was quite clear, causing it to be implemented very successfully. Reasons for that were that the actors/singers were able to execute every single action with clarity which allowed us to understand every part of the play. However, there were parts that were quite confusing, possibly due to the fact that the opera wasn’t a final product at the moment. One of the greatest features of the opera was the adaptation to the Italian mob time period in the early to mid 1900s. A reason why was because it gave the opera a more modern type of feeling which allowed the audience to be enthralled in a more familiar type of environment. This had a very positive impact on the play because it really went along with one of the main themes of the play, which obviously is seduction. Garments of the earlier period which this opera originally took place in didn’t seem correct compared to the suits and dresses of the adaptation. Also the scenery really illuminated the time period. You could clearly tell that every single item on stage was placed carefully in order to further the meaning of the play. An example of this was the statute inside the Duke’s mansion, which was called the “rape of Persephone” and was clearly connected to the kidnapping of Rigoletto’s daughter. Also the painting in the introduction illuminated the Duke’s obsession with his own power. The orchestra was also used very precisely, allowing it to elicit emotion. They clothing was also very symbolic of stature due to the fact that nobles and such wore very rich clothing, whereas common folk wore very poor clothing. I thought the play was carried out with precision and clarity which allowed it to be very successful.
Maiah Swigert p3
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed Rigoletto, more of from the opera stand point of it. I'm not too fond of the story line in the first place. But the best parts to the performance, in my opinion, were the costumes, singing, and all the technical aspects incorporated into the story. The costuming was spot-on with time period and I just thought that it worked so well through out the performance. As far as the singing, I thought that each song was done well and the different tones pretty much told the audience what was going on in each scene, you didn't really have to read the projections. The technical pieces to it such as the lighting and sound that they put in the performance was absolutely perfect. I love how they put lightning and thunder in the rainy scene during the show. I could tell they used a strobe light for the lightning and I think it's a fantastic idea. The lighting and sound was well done and contributed perfectly to the performance.
Taryn Riegel
ReplyDeleteper. 4
I absolutely loved hearing the orchestra during this opera. I found my eyes watching the conductor and the pit more than on the actual stage! The conductor was almost a distraction to me. I was more focused on how he conducted the orchestra and which instruments were playing because I am a musician. I thought that the opera singers and the pit played beautifully together. All of the notes seemed to be correct to the audience, and the singers and pit played in sync with each other. You could tell that there was a lot of effort and practice put into it, which made me appreciate it a lot! On another note, I really liked all the sets. I now understand why they wanted to have 3 intermissions - all three sets were very different from each other and worked really well with their scenes. What really added to this opera was the complexity of the sets, too. The upstairs rooms, using a ladder, and multiple doors made it fun to look at! That stage set-up reminded me of one that I saw at some ballet many years ago. This opera was a nice experience and very well put together.
Taylor Ingrum
ReplyDeleteHumanities.3
Rigoletto was a surprisingly fun opera to attend. When we read the story in class I didn't think it was very entertaining but when it was acted out on stage, I really enjoyed it and felt emotion ties toward the characters. For example, when the father was grieving over his daughter after she was stabbed and wrapped in a blanket, the music and acting was so well done I couldn't help but feel a connection. I was not expecting to like the story as much as I did. Naturally, I was expecting a similar experience as The Daughter of the Regiment, but was happy to find that they had many differences. For example, the singing was a lot more entertaining because of the upbeat familiar pieces that were sung. I also really liked the setting. I thought it was very cool how the old Italian townhouse was used so differently in each act. My favorite part of the townhouse setting was the two-story element. I loved how the characters could sing to each other from elevations which gave it a more romantic feeling. In my opinion, the set design was the best out of all the performances we have been to yet. The party scene was especially well done. I thought it was very detailed and well portrayed. For example, the statues and curtains had confetti on them which made the opera feel even more real. The daughter in this opera frustrated me greatly, but that just goes to show that the actress was playing her part well. While the daughter's character bothered me throughout the play, I really enjoyed this performance and would be surprised if I see another as well done.
Sean Rankin
ReplyDeletePeriod 4
I found Rigoletto to be very entertaining. I had no trouble following what was going on in the performance even though it wasn't in English. I felt like the singing did a good job conveying emotion. For example, when Monterone was singing during the party you could feel his anger as he cursed the duke and Rigoleto. I was also pretty excited to hear La donna è mobile live in person because it had been so hyped up in class. We listened to it as we read the play and during Rob's presentation as it was one of Verdi's masterpieces. I all most felt like we weren't going to hear it. Though in the third act I was not disappointed at all I felt that it was wonderful. I think the crowd agreed with my opinion as people applauded right after. We ended up hearing the tune three times, each of which was a treat. The story did a good job showing how a blind path of vengeance typically hurts those around you more than the person you're mad at. The duke got off free, while Rigoletto lost his beloved daughter solely because of the hate in his own heart. From a technical standpoint at least from what I've seen, Rigoletto did an amazing job. I couldn't really believe that they can change the setting so much. At the end of the third act when Gilda is stabbed the rain and thunder was very realistic and set a great atmosphere for a sad moment in the performance. I felt that this performance did a great job incorporating all aspects of life. Appealing visually the costumes and sets pulled us into the story. Appealing to our emotions it made us question at times who was in the wrong the duke, or was Rigoletto's vengeance?
Mark Gibbons
ReplyDeletePeriod 4
Rigoletto was more interesting to watch than The Daughter of the Regiment, but I still did not like it that much. I would have rather been doing other stuff. The set was very well decorated and really showed each scene in depth. I liked how they had two scenes showing the opposite side of the same room. It was good to see both points of view from different angles. There was a lot of people in the cast at some points and it was really confusing. However, they did add to the scene. The singing was impressive, as always, even if it isn't what I would choose to listen to. I could never sing that well so I respect them for how well they are able to sing. The actors and actresses had incredible talent during the whole opera. Some of the plot line was confusing because of everything that was going on. It seemed like their wasn't a resolution to the entire story. It didn't feel like a complete story. However, I thought the opera was very well thought out and included many talents, but I would never see it again.
Michael Stiles
ReplyDeletePeriod 3
I absolutely enjoyed Rigoletto. I thought it was done beautifully by the Seattle opera. I was really excited to hear "La Donna E Mobile" because we heard it in class so many times that it was embedded in my head. I thought that the Duke played by Francesco Demuro did a good job with the song but not as good as the legendary tenor Luciano Pavarotti. The fact that the sets changed so often made the opera even better, it made for a better show in my opinion. I found it very easy to follow along with the subtitles at the top of the stage. I like having the multiple intermissions because i was able to get up and stretch and get a drink to prepare for the next act, it didn't feel as long with the breaks as well. One issue I had was that I got home pretty late after the show and for some who had homework I could see this as being an issue for them but I think the show was worth it.
Sarah Porter
ReplyDeletePer 4
I thought the opera “Rigoletto” was extremely well performed. It was incredible to watch the father-daughter relationship between Rigoletto and Gilda, and it was hard to see Gilda give away her life for someone who would not do the same for her. In addition to the storyline, the music pit and the singers seemed to be perfectly together at all times. I was so impressed with both the sets and the costumes. I felt that they both contributed to the adapted 1930s setting very well. The sets throughout the opera created a balance between being modern, while still staying true enough to the original setting. Similarly, I thought that the costumes worn by the singers worked very well with the whole setting. I especially noticed that in the beginning party scene, everyone wore formal clothing which could easily fit in with 1930s clothing styles. Though I was impressed with the performance itself, I found it difficult and distracting to constantly be looking up at the subtitles. In comparing the two operas we’ve gone to so far, “The Daughter of the Regiment” was in French and because I am taking French, it was easier to understand and I didn’t find myself staring at the subtitles instead of the performance. With “Rigoletto”, not knowing any of the words without the help of the subtitles made it slightly more difficult to watch the stage and the singers. However, despite this, I found that I definitely enjoyed this performance.
Alex Rees
ReplyDeleteperiod 3
Rigoletto was a great opera. It was more interesting to watch than Daughter of the Regiment. I thought that Rigoletto was more interesting to watch because it was easier to follow than the last opera. And for the most part I knew what was happening and what the whole play was about. It was nice how the play was very well done. The set changes gave it the necessary change to scenery and gave it a different look to the opera. It also gave the scene a proper setting and made the scene make more sense. This was a great thing to have and gave me more interest into watching the play. Also the fact that it was set into a 1930 setting was great. It gave it more a relevant theme to it making it easier to watch. There were only a couple things that were confusing to me which were the beginning how they were all together and then started singing, it made it hard to figure out who was singing but you figured it out after a while. But every thing else was amazing. Great production and I enjoyed the opera very much.
I actually really liked Rigoletto, it was much more entertaining than our first opera. First off, I really enjoyed how high Gilda could make her voice go, yet it was still soothing. The story line was quite entertaining because I could follow it. I also thought that the sets were greatly detailed and extremely life like. I didn't really understand how they kept switching the set with props that large! Sparafucille's voice may have been the deepest voice i've ever heard. The way her could hold his notes was extremely impressive. I also noticed the extremely high amount of extras in the opera. They all seemed to have great voices. Overall I actually think Rigoletto was really good, and to my surprise I didn't feel like falling asleep but rather to stay awake and listen.
ReplyDeleteMaddy Nehme P.3
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed Rigoletto much more than I did when we saw daughter of the regiment. It was very entertaining, and I didn't feel the need to fall asleep! I liked how all the voices were so different so I never got tired of listening. Ill admit when we read the story in class, it didn't sound that exciting to me but I definitely enjoyed watching the play, I listened the entire time and it was very easy for me to follow although it was in a different language. I also thought the sets were great and nicely thought out. I think its better for the set to change multiple times because then we wont get bored of staring at the same scene for 3 hours long. I also liked all the detail they added to the play, for example during the lightening storm there was flashy lights in the "sky" acting as strobe lights. Also in the first scene when everyone is at the party, they actually shot streamers and the actors during the scene! That definitely added character to the play and made it fun to watch, I hope the next opera is even better!
Alison Mowry
ReplyDeletePeriod 4
Personally i enjoyed watching Rigoletto more than i did the daughter of the regiment. I was pleasantly surprised at how well done the production was overall. It was also a lot easier to follow than other operas, and actually managed to move me emotionally during the performance. Toward the end of the opera, and the very end of the performance is what i will never forget. When Gilda was killed and Rigoletto was standing over her distraught at the sight of his daughter's dead body, i couldn't help but want to cry. The image of a father losing his child, the only thing he had in his life that he loved, was so emotional and i thought the scene was very well performed. In terms of the voices of each actor/actress it always amazes me each time we go to a performance, how controlled their voices are. The ability to project your voice and follow through with the notes beautifully is something that is hard for me to wrap my head around.