Internationally acclaimed baritone Timothy Noble will say good-bye to one of opera’s greatest characters — he will perform as Rigoletto for the last time in Indianapolis Opera’s show of the same name May 7 at 8 p.m. and May 9 at 2 p.m., at Clowes Hall. Rigoletto is the tale of a jester torn between bitterness toward the world and the love he feels for his daughter. Haunted by a father’s curse, Rigoletto, in his quest for vengeance, brings about his own destruction.

 

In the 2003-2004 Opera Guide, Noble says, “For me, Rigoletto was always the most difficult sing of all the roles that I have done and, coupled with the fact that, dramatically, much is asked of the actor, the role of the jester is the most challenging of the baritone voice in all of Italian opera. Dare I say in all of opera? “… One might ask why I would take this project on at the advanced age of 59, but this role has been the yardstick by which I have critiqued myself over the years and I have never quite satisfied my expectations of what I think I am capable of in it. In addition to this, the production will mark Maestro James Caraher’s 25th year of conducting, and it is one of his favorite operas. These two factors led me to a decision to try to fulfil my expectations one more time.”

 

The opera will be performed in Italian, with English captions projected above the stage. Tickets are $20-$69 at Clowes, TicketCentral or through Ticketmaster, 239-1000. Overture, a pre-opera discussion, will be held 45 minutes prior to each performance, and is free for ticket-holders. Plus, Preludes offers you, for $45, early-bird parking, cocktails and a pre-opera dinner or brunch and in-depth conversation about the opera. For Preludes information call 283-3531.