Even after her violation and increased evidence of his faithlessness, she is willing to give her life for him. You see, the problem is that Gilda actually loves the rapacious and womanizing Duke, who has wooed her in the guise of a humble student. Lovely of face, with a clarion sound to match, she conveys the sheltered Gilda’s innocence and confusion with conviction. Polish soprano Aleksandra Kurzak, who will share the role with Albina Shagimuratova, is nothing short of a miracle in the role. In reality, Gilda, the girl, is the innocent daughter of the jester and his attempts to regain her and avenge her shame provide some of the most powerful drama – and beautiful singing – in all opera. Then he becomes fearful, angry and, in his great scene, “Cortigiani,” a broken man, pleading for mercy. He is sardonic and sneering, inspiring hatred and fear in his fellow courtiers until, in revenge, they kidnap his supposed mistress for the pleasure of the Duke whom they all serve. Željko Lučić is powerful in the role (which also will feature Marco Vratogna in a double-cast production on alternate dates). Rigoletto is an often-cruel court jester who thinks life is a bunch of laughs until somebody turns the joke on him. Well sung, beautiful to look at and quickly paced under the baton of music director Nicola Luisotti, it was a fitting tribute to composer Giuseppe Verdi on the eve of his bicentennial year. If the rest of the San Francisco Opera season lives up to its opening “Rigoletto,” opera lovers in the City by the Bay are in for a treat. San Francisco Opera, War Memorial Opera House

‘Rigoletto’ Opera in three acts by Giuseppe Verdi Željko Lučić in the title role of San Francisco Opera’s “Rigoletto”

Rigoletto sf opera