Tamas Bolberitz conducted his fine orchestra in a welcome return visit to Malvern by the Compagnia d'Opera Italiana di Milano, for Verdi's Rigoletto.

A strong cast of outstanding singers enacted the tragic story, concerning the central dramatic character Rigoletto, (Andrea Cortese) the hunchback jester. He kept his daughter Gilda (Kyung-Ran Kim) in strict seclusion, but she fell in love and Rigoletto arranged to have her lover murdered, but Gilda became the victim in error and her father was devastated.

Singing was projected excellently and several well-known arias within the opera were imparted with style. The Duke of Mantua's (Penio Pirosov) tenor voice wooed Gilda with E'il sol dell' anima (Love is the sun).

In reply Gilda's exquisite delivery of Caro nome (Dear name) was enchanting.

Rigoletto developed his character potently and sang with eloquence in his rounded baritone voice. In duet with Gilda he was tender, then furious with the Duke and in bitter anguish in the end. It was a powerful delivery.

The metamorphic scenery pieces (though moved rather noisily!), conveyed the situations.

JILL HOPKINS