


At the Duke’s infamous parties, one man’s words light the darkness with a sinister glitter. Among the glamorous girls and greasy gangsters, Rigoletto serves his master with sharp wits and averted eyes.
From the moment he wrote it, Verdi knew he had a hit on his hands. The story has everything: royalty, loyalty, devotion, lust and revenge.
And the music? The music is sensational, so full of hummable tunes that Verdi demanded complete secrecy from his premiere cast. The tenor was forbidden from even whistling the catchy ‘La donna è mobile’ outside of rehearsals.
The morning after Rigoletto’s triumphant première, that melody rang out in the streets: a hit for ever after.
Elijah Moshinsky’s much-loved production of Rigoletto returns to the Sydney Opera House stage, complete with its glamorous La Dolce Vita-inspired sets and costumes and scene-stealing Fiat 500. The revolving dolls-house style set gives cinematic detail to each scene.
We’ve assembled a brilliant cast led by Italian conductor Sesto Quatrini in his Opera Australia debut. Dalibor Jenis reprises his acclaimed performance as the tortured jester at the heart of Verdi’s masterpiece, with Kang Wang as the Duke and rising star Gemma Nha as the jester’s daughter.
2hr 45min. Incl. 1 interval.
21st July, 2026
21st August, 2026

Step-free access with lifts and wheelchair seating, accessible bathrooms across multiple levels, assistive listening, captioned and audio-described performances, and registered service animals are welcome throughout the Sydney Opera House.
BY PUBLIC TRANSPORT: The Sydney Opera House is short six-minute walk from Circular Quay, with frequent trains, buses and ferries. An accessible shuttle also operates between Circular Quay and the venue for those who require assistance.
BY BICYCLE: Bike parking is available beneath the Monumental Steps.
BY CAR: Parking is available at Wilson Parking Sydney Opera House Car Park, open 24/7 with undercover access to the Lower Concourse. Accessible parking spaces are also available on site.
“Impressive and not to be missed. ★★★★” - Arts Hub
Conductor: Sesto Quatrini
Director: Elijah Moshinsky
Set & Costume Designer: Michael Yeargan
Lighting Designer: Robert Bryan
Revival Director: Warwick Doddrell
CAST
Rigoletto: Dalibor Jenis
Duke of Mantua: Kang Wang
Gilda: Gemma Nha
Monterone: Gennadi Dubinsky
Sparafucile: David Parkin
Maddalena: Sian Sharp
Marullo: Simon Meadows
Borsa: Virgilio Marino
Ceprano: Jonathan Alley
Giovanna: Dominica Matthews
Countess Ceprano: Jennifer Black
Page: Jennifer Bonner
Usher: Malcolm Ede
Opera Australia Orchestra
Opera Australia Chorus
Rigoletto runs for 2hr 45min. Incl. 1 interval.
Rigoletto is at Sydney's Joan Sutherland Theatre | Sydney Opera House, which is located at Bennelong Point, Sydney, 2000.
Rigoletto tickets start at $84.
Check the top of this page for current availability on Rigoletto tickets on TodayTix.