On July 14, 2018 Saimir Pirgu will sing the role of the Duca di Mantova in Rigoletto at the Teatro San Carlo of Naples, in a production by Mario Pontiggia conducted by Maestro Pier Giorgio Morandi, the first of a series of three performances running through July 21, 2018. He will share the stage with George Petean in the title role, Patrizia Ciofi as Gilda, George Anguladze as Sparafucile and Nino Surguladze as Maddalena.

Saimir Pirgu often speaks in interviews about his particular relationship with Verdi’s libertine: “It is a role that fits my vocal characteristics like a glove. I feel very close to this role which has brought me to many first-tier opera houses and which I hope to keep in my repertoire as long as possible.”.

The Albanian tenor has also developed a strong relationship with the Teatro San Carlo, where he earlier this season made her role debut as Gabriele Adorno in Simon Boccanegra to rave reviews and where he recently reprised his celebrated portrayal of Edgardo in Lucia di Lammermoor. In September he will be back at the Teatro San Carlo as tenor soloist in Beethoven’s 9th Symphony conducted by Zubin Mehta and in April 2019 he will sing Pinkerton in a new Ferzan Ozpetek production of Madama Butterfly conducted by Gabriele Ferro.

[Photo by Paul Scala]