Verdi's 'Rigoletto' tonight in Cd'A

Opera Coeur d'Alene's presentation of Verdi's "Rigoletto" opens tonight on the stage of North Idaho College's Schuler Performing Arts Center and features several internationally renowned singers.

The curtain opens on tonight's performance at 7:30 p.m. It will be staged one more time, Sunday at 2 p.m. An hour before each show begins, there will be an informational and educational talk about the opera and its composer, Giuseppe Verdi.

New York's Metropolitan Opera Guild's magazine refers to one of the performers, Mark Walters, as a "force to be reckoned with."

The role of Duke of Mantua will be sung by tenor Ral Melo, a frequent principal singer at New York's Metropolitan Opera House where he garnered rave reviews for his portrayal of the same role. Melo is also a frequent guest on Prairie Home Companion.

Mezzo-soprano Audrey Babcock was recently in Paris singing the lead in "Carmen," a role for which she already has an international reputation for her fresh interpretation. Here she will sing as temptress Maddalena, a role she has sung with Nashville Opera, Florentine Opera and Tulsa Opera.

Dawn Wolski, the soprano who will sing Rigoletto's beautiful and beloved daughter Gilda, has a voice that "Classics Today" labeled "ravishing, all the way up to a crystal clear high D."

Bass/baritone Derrick Parker has sung in opera houses from Alaska to Brazil and Norway to Africa. "Opera News" wrote of his "vividly flavored vocalism" and "commanding" presence on stage. He will sing the role of Sparafucile, whose dark proposition portends the tragedy to come.

An orchestra of professional instrumentalists from throughout the Inland Northwest will be under the baton of Florida Grand Opera's internationally acclaimed resident conductor Andrew Bisantz.

A men's chorus hired from around the Inland Northwest will provide the Duke's fawning and troublemaking courtiers and for the first time, Opera Coeur d'Alene will be partnering with Ballet Coeur d'Alene to bring the element of dance, filling out the full tradition of grand opera.

"We strive in every detail to bring the absolute finest in professional performing arts," said Nate Jolley, president of the Opera Coeur d'Alene board.

Aaron Nicholson, director of the production and Artistic Director of Opera Coeur d'Alene, says, "This time Opera Coeur d'Alene has outdone even its usual high standards, bringing together for the first time such a powerful array of voices and performers."

Ticket prices range from $29 to $59.

Tickets prices for the Friday, Sept. 13 and Sunday, Sept. 15 production of "Rigoletto" are $29 to $59. Tickets can be purchased and more information including other Opera Coeur d'Alene activities and educational programs are available online at www.operacda.com or by phoning (800) 418-1485.