HISTORY OF THE SHOW Based upon Victor Hugo’s play Le Roi S’amuse or ‘The King Amuses Himself’, Verdi’s Rigoletto gives focus to the cruel intentions of members of the court, namely the lascivious Duke of Mantua, his lowly, hunchback jester Rigoletto, and Gilda, the naive and and beautiful daughter of Rigoletto. We see the fates of these three characters in particular intertwined throughout the opera, with the ending of this story offering only a slight arc of redemption which is overshadowed by the ill-fated tragedy and conclusion. Rigoletto challenges viewers to perceive what is morally right and wrong, especially when considering the climax and conclusion of the story. While one corrupt character receives punishment for his deeds, this comes at the price of an innocent person’s life. Furthermore, other arguably corrupt characters seemingly endure no consequences for their devious actions by the end of the story. To understand the opera, one must reference the journey of both the composer as well the play that inspired this dark tale. Premiering in November of 1832, Le Roi S’amuse’s story centers around an unrelenting King and his wicked treatment of his own courtiers, with particular cruelty being directed towards his court jester. This play was written as a direct depiction of Francis the I of France (1494 - 1547) and the relationship he maintained with his own jester at that time, Triboulet. Although passionate and direct, the play was meant to be a historical fiction, especially considering the fact that several Kings had already taken the throne of France since Francis the I. However, members of the French government were not pleased with the portrayal, considering it a slight against the current and (soon to be final) monarch of France, Louis Phillipe I. The political climate of the time was quickly shifting, and the Revolutionary Wars had seen one of their more infamous kings (Louis XVI) deposed and beheaded. France was currently established as a constitutional monarchy, but this did not quell the tensions between the different classes at that time. Consequently, the government was particularly sensitive to any depictions or declarations that could be perceived as critical of their efforts.
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