Verdi baritones are crown jewels in the opera world, their voices treasured for the legato line – a long, burnished, velvety sound – coupled with powerful high notes that Guiseppe Verdi wrote in his popular operas.
Kim Josephson is a Verdi baritone, praised by critics for his full-bodied tone as well as his nuanced acting.
So it’s a little startling to detect just the slightest Texas twang in conversation with the singer, who stars in the title role of Seattle Opera’s new production of Verdi’s “Rigoletto,” opening Saturday night at McCaw Hall.
Turns out that Josephson is a Houston native who got his academic training and professional start in the Texas city. There’s still a bit of Texas in his speaking voice, and he owns a ranch in his home state where he likes to ride, but it’s the world stage that’s home to the opera singer now.
Josephson, who talked about his career and the rigors and rewards of singing “Rigoletto” in a telephone interview, has made Rigoletto one of his signature roles, singing the part of the tormented hunchback jester with Lyric Opera of Chicago, Santa Fe Opera and the Metropolitan Opera.
“Rigoletto,” a dramatic tragedy told through gorgeous, lyrical music, is among the most-produced operas in the world, a perennial top-10 with songs that even non-opera fans recognize.
“Rigoletto” is full of intrigue, high drama and skullduggery, and the title role is a meaty one both musically and dramatically.
Josephson, who made his Seattle Opera debut in May singing Jack Rance in Puccini’s “Girl of the Golden West,” is finding new challenges in Seattle because of director Linda Brovsky’s approach.
The director has moved “Rigoletto,” which premiered in 1851, from its traditional 16th century setting to fascist Italy of the 1930s.
Rigoletto, a jester in the court of the Duke of Mantua, is usually dressed in Renaissance-style balloon pants. In the Seattle production, he’s a waiter and servant to the Duke in Mussolini’s Italy. Costume designer Marie Anne Chiment has drawn on the costumes of that era for inspiration.
“When I first heard about the concept I was a little daunted,” Josephson said. “It changes everything about the role.” Now, the singer is finding new ways to play this complex character.
Not that the story of “Rigoletto” lacks drama. The Duke is a seducer of women – daughters and wives – and Rigoletto, who helps in these seductions, mocks the husbands and fathers of the Duke’s conquest and makes jokes at their expense.
This earns him enemies, and they place a curse on Rigoletto and hatch a plot to kidnap his daughter, Gilda.
Gilda is taken to the Duke, who seduces her. Rigoletto, vowing vengeance, hires an assassin to kill the Duke, but in a tragic mix-up, it is Gilda’s body Rigoletto finds in the assassin’s sack. She dies in Rigoletto’s arms.
“It’s one of the very first operas that explores so deeply the transition of an individual,” Josephson said.
And it’s a hard role to sing. “It’s so long and demanding,” said Josephson, who trains like an athlete for the role for the stamina needed to sing this big part with a fresh, clear voice over three long acts.
“I’ve been walking like a fiend up Queen Anne Hill.”
“Rigoletto” is an audience favorite “because it’s got everything,” he continued. “We have a really great cast and they are going to wow Seattle.”
Chris Bennion photo
Kim Josephson and Norah Amsellem rehearse their parts for Seattle Opera’s production of “Rigoletto.”
“Rigoletto”
Opens at 7:30 tonight for the first of 10 performances through Oct. 31. Sung in Italian with English captions. Running time about three hours including two intermissions.
Where: McCaw Hall, Seattle Center.
Tickets: $42-$129, 206-389-7676, with student and senior discounts available, and standing-room-only tickets day of show, 800-426-1619, www.seattleopera.org.
The cast: Rigoletto is sung by baritone Kim Josephson, with American Stephen Kechulius in the alternate cast. French soprano Norah Amsellem sings the role of Gilda, alternating with American soprano Sandra Lopez. American tenor Frank Lopardo sings the role of Duke of Mantua, alternating with Mexican tenor Raul Hernandez. Other principals are American bass Perry L. Brown and American mezzo-soprano Mary Ann McCormick. Edoardo Mueller conducts.
“Rigoletto”
Opens at 7:30 tonight for the first of 10 performances through Oct. 31. Sung in Italian with English captions. Running time about three hours including two intermissions.
Where: McCaw Hall, Seattle Center.
Tickets: $42-$129, 206-389-7676, with student and senior discounts available, and standing-room-only tickets day of show, 800-426-1619, www.seattleopera.org.
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