New production of timeless Opera 'Rigoletto' brings its drama and intrigue to Cobb Energy Centre

Michael Mayes as Rigoletto in the Houston Grand Opera mounting of this production in 2019. Houston is a co-production partner. (Courtesy of Lynn Lane)

The unforgettable melody of “La donna e mobile” from Giuseppe Verdi’s “Rigoletto” is one of those tunes everyone knows, even if they don’t know they know it.

With its timeless musical themes, larger-than-life characters, and a story of love, lust, conspiracy, intrigue, and a touch of the supernatural, “Rigoletto” has long been one of the most popular and most produced operas of all time.

A new production of “Rigoletto” will be on stage at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, Nov. 4-12, directed by Tomer Zvulun, the company’s artistic director.

The production is a collaboration of the Atlanta Opera with the Houston Grand Opera and Dallas Opera. In this interview, Tomer Zvulun joined “City Lights” host Lois Reitzes to talk about the new production.

“There are a lot of themes that, to this day, are a little bit X-rated. Just like any other opera, this opera is about sex and death and power,” Zvulun said. 

Verdi’s “Rigoletto” is on stage at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre from Nov. 4-12, and more information is available here.