San Francisco Opera: Verdi's Rigoletto

One of opera's most vivid and compelling characters, a vengeful court jester, desperately tries to protect his daughter from disaster in this heart-wrenching tragedy. The first of two world-class casts led by Music Director Nicola Luisotti stars Željko Lučić, ""whose vocal artistry is exceptional"" (The New York Times); Aleksandra Kurzak, ""a superstar in the making"" (The Guardian, London); and, as the lecherous Duke, Francesco Demuro, ""whose open, bright, superbly focused tone was reminiscent of Pavarotti"" (Opera News).