Celso Albelo Reprises Rigoletto's Duke in Oviedo

Some famous opera roles keep coming back to a singer's schedule. The wicked Duke of Mantua from Verdi's popular opera Rigoletto is one such role. The tenor Celso Albelo, from Tenerife, has performed it in over twenty theaters across the globe, including Japan, Italy, Switzerland, Austria, Monaco, France, and Spain. He has already appeared in more than 200 productions of Verdi's masterpiece, most recently last February at the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino.

Now, he will perform the role again at the Teatro Campoamor. For the Oviedo Opera's performances on December 12, 14, 17, and 20, Celso Albelo will be joined on stage by: Ernesto Petti as Rigoletto, Alexandra Nowakowski as Gilda, Roberto Scandiuzzi as Sparafucile, and Sandra Ferrández as Maddalena.

Susana Gómez directs this production, with Maestro Óliver Díaz conducting the Principality of Asturias Symphony Orchestra and the Oviedo Opera Resident Choir (Coro Intermezzo).

Albelo first performed the Duke in 2006 in Busseto, Parma, a region famous for Verdi. He says that after playing the Duke in so many different productions, he now approaches the role with a fresh perspective.

"The character has been with me throughout my career," he explains, "and naturally, my view of the role has changed, both vocally and psychologically. But it's a privilege to have sung it for so long, because you feel you know all its sides. Also, coming back to the Oviedo Opera, where I've performed many times, and seeing its audience again is a huge joy, especially with this role."

Albelo last played the Duke at the Teatro Campoamor in 2017. In Spain alone, he has also performed the role at Madrid's Teatro Real, Seville's Teatro de la Maestranza, and Valencia's Palau de les Arts.

Looking ahead, the Tenerife tenor will return to the Croatian National Theatre in Zagreb to star in Jules Massenet's Werther. He will also be back at Madrid's Teatro Real to reprise his role as Manrico in Verdi's Il Trovatore.