The Sedona International Film Festival is proud to present the summer encore of the Met Opera’s “Rigoletto” (from the 2012-13 season) on Saturday, Aug. 23 at 1 p.m. at the Mary D. Fisher Theatre.

In this electric performance from 2013, baritone Željko Lučić sings the title role in Michael Mayer’s 1960s-era production of Verdi’s great drama, sharing the stage with soprano Diana Damrau and tenor Piotr Beczała. Michele Mariotti conducts.

ACT I
Las Vegas, 1960. ¬ The cynical Rigoletto serves as sidekick and comedian to the licentious Duke, a singer and casino owner. His sole joy in life is his daughter, Gilda, whom he has brought up in seclusion from the world. When Rigoletto mocks the rich Monterone, whose daughter has been seduced by the Duke, Monterone curses him. ¬ The Duke, incognito, has flirted with Gilda at church. He arrives at Rigoletto’s apartment, and she confesses her love to him. The Duke’s entourage, thinking Gilda is Rigoletto’s mistress, decide to play a prank on Rigoletto and trick him into assisting in the abduction of his own daughter.

ACT II
Gilda has been brought to the Duke’s casino where she becomes another of his conquests. When Rigoletto witnesses Monterone being shot by one of the Duke’s entourage, he swears that both he and Monterone will be avenged. Gilda begs her father to forgive the Duke.

ACT III
Rigoletto hires the hit man Sparafucile to kill the Duke, who has come to a seedy club on the outskirts of town to see Sparafucile’s sister. Gilda, still in love with the Duke, overhears the plan and decides to sacrifice herself to save the Duke’s life. When Rigoletto comes to collect the victim’s body, he finds not the Duke but his dying daughter.

The 2025 Met Opera Summer Encores are generously sponsored by Chris Fladlien.

“Rigoletto” from the Metropolitan Opera will be shown at the Mary D. Fisher Theatre on Saturday, Aug. 23 at 1:00 p.m. Tickets are $15 general admission, or $13 for Film Festival members. Tickets are available in advance at the Sedona International Film Festival office or by calling 928-282-1177. Both the theatre and film festival office are located at 2030 W. Hwy. 89A, in West Sedona. For more information and to order tickets online, visit www.SedonaFilmFestival.org.