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Music by Giuseppe Verdi
Libretto by Francesco Maria Piave
Based on the play Le roi s’amuse by Victor Hugo

OCTOBER 10, 16, 18, 2026
At the Benedum Center for the Performing Arts
Sung in Italian, with English supertitles projected above the stage

A fool’s errand.
Sharp-witted court jester Rigoletto is the philandering Duke’s right-hand man, always quick to defend his patron’s womanizing and mock his master’s victims. But the joke is on him. The tables turn when Rigoletto and the Duke are both cursed for their wretched behavior. While Rigoletto instinctively fears the curse, the callous Duke remains unfazed, turning his rakish intentions toward Rigoletto’s daughter, Gilda. Naïve, sheltered, and easily charmed, Gilda falls madly in love with the Duke.
Now, Rigoletto must plot and scheme to save his own daughter from the monster he had championed. Will Rigoletto have the last laugh, or will he be the punchline?

These performances are sponsored in part by The Gailliot Fund.
 

Pittsburgh Opera is excited to offer free child care at our Sunday matinee performance. This option can be added on in your cart when you select the Sunday performance.

• Estimated total run time 2 hours, 25 minutes including one intermission
• Content Advisory: This production contains onstage depictions of sexual violence.
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