On April 26, 2019 George Gagnidze will return to the Metropolitan Opera to sing the title role in Verdi’s Rigoletto in a revival of the Michael Mayer production, directed by Gregory Keller. Nicola Luisotti will conduct. There will be three further performances, on May 1, 4, and 10, 2019. The cast will also feature Matthew Polenzani/Stephen Costello as the Duke, Rosa Feola as Gilda, Ramona Zaharia as Maddalena, and Dimitry Ivashchenko as Sparafucile.

The Georgian baritone has been hailed by critics as “a natural as Rigoletto” (New York Classical Review), celebrated not only for his singing but for his greatly expressive acting, and his ability to balance being “deeply tender and moving” (The Telegraph) with the character’s blustering rage and “furious grandeur” (The New York Times) in particular.

Since making his exceptional Met debut in the role in 2009, he has been in high demand as Rigoletto at important opera houses and festivals around the world. Excitingly, on May 4th, Gagnidze will give his 100th performance of the role. That he is doing so at the Met in the Mayer production is particularly special: not only did he make his Met debut in the role, he has returned to sing it – in this very production – in the 2012/2013 and 2015/2016 seasons.

Other recent career highlights as Rigoletto include performances at the Teatro alla Scala, the Festival of Aix-en-Provence, the Deutsche Oper Berlin and the Lost Angeles Opera.

Following Rigoletto, Gagnidze will sing Iago in Otello at the Deutsche Oper Berlin, and Alfio in Cavalleria Rusticana at the Teatro di San Carlo in Naples.

Information about Rigoletto at the Metropolitan Opera:

Rigoletto: George Gagnidze / The Duke of Mantua: Matthew Polenzani/Stephen Costello / Gilda: Rosa Feola / Maddalena: Ramona Zaharia / Sparafucile: Dimitry Ivashchenko

Conductor: Nicola Luisotti / Director: Michael Mayer / Gregory Keller

Performances on 26 April, and 1, 4, 10 May 2019.