WNO Rigoletto at New Theatre Oxford

Twice a year we look forward to Welsh National Opera visiting Oxford and bringing fine performances of the greatest operas.

This production of Rigoletto features Raffaele Abete as the Duke, Daniel Luis de Vicente as Rigoletto and Soraya Mafi as the tragically naive Gilda.

Also among the cast is Paul Carey-Jones [https://www.paulcareyjones.net/] who sang the rôle of Wotan in this year's wonderful production of the Ring Cycle at Longborough.

WNO's new production of Rigoletto did not spare us the ugly side of this cruel story and we were treated to scenes of the depravity at the decadent court where Victor Hugo's tragic tale takes place.

Since last year, WNO has been hit been hit by severe and crippling Arts Council funding cuts of £3,000,000, so they could not afford a lavish set, and many other sacrifices had to be made. They deserve better. Public money is spent on so many unworthy and unnecessary things. Opera should not only be affordable for the elite.

Professional musicians should be able to make a living.

So - support them if you can and come to this production but also, dont forget to protest and protest loudly.