WIDELY-known as Verdi’s best opera, Rigoletto will be broadcast live at Theatr Mwldan from The Royal Opera House on Tuesday, January 16 at 7.15pm.

The corruption of innocence is at the heart of Verdi’s potent tragedy. Rigoletto, court jester to the libertine Duke of Mantua, is cursed by the father of one of the Duke’s victims for his irreverent laughter.

When the Duke seduces Rigoletto’s daughter Gilda, it seems the curse is taking effect and the jester must plot to protect her from the Duke’s immoral intent.

Giuseppe Verdi had to overcome state censorship to stage Rigoletto – the censors objected to its depiction of an immoral ruler – but he was vindicated by the premiere’s huge success in 1851.

Based on the play Le roi s'amuse by Victor Hugo, Verdi’s opera remains one of the most popular of all operas.

Rigoletto was performed 250 times in the 10 years following its premiere in 1851 and has become one of the most popular of all operas.

Featuring many musical highlights, the opera includes the well-known arias ‘Questa o quella’ and ‘La donna è mobile’ (both made popular by tenor Luciana Pavarotti, among others) and the much-loved Act III quartet ‘Bella figlia dell’amore’, which was recently heard in the 2012 British comedy-drama film Quartet.

Directed by David McVicar, the production highlights the cruelty at the heart of Verdi’s tragic opera.

Featuring dark, Renaissance-inspired set and costume designs, the staging creates the shocking and insidious world within which this gripping tale unfolds.

Alexander Joel conducts a cast led by Greek baritone Dimitri Platanias in the title role and featuring American tenor Michael Fabiano as the Duke of Mantua, alongside English soprano Lucy Crowe as Gilda.

The Royal Opera House leads the way in providing world-class opera and ballet both to cinemas and a variety of digital platforms.

Broadcasting to 40 countries, more than 800,000 people worldwide saw a Royal Opera House production in their local cinema during the 2016/17 season. Its broadcast of The Nutcracker in December 2016, topped the UK box office figures with more than 70,000 attending a screening of the production

Tickets for Royal Opera House screenings are £16 (£15) and are available now from Theatr Mwldan’s box office on 01239 621200, online at www.mwldan.co.uk or via the new MWLDAN app.