Figlia!...Mio padre!

In 1850 when it was heard that Giuseppe Verdi would base an opera around a hunchbacked protagonist, the Italian censors begged him to change the character, to take away his hump, to which the composer replied, “I find it very beautiful to portray this character eternally misshapen and ridiculous but inwardly impassioned and full of love. I chose the subject precisely for these qualities and these original features. If they are removed, I cannot write the music.”

Verdi’s opera, Rigoletto, named for the most tragic character of the piece, featured a baritone in the lead instead of opera’s traditional tenor protagonist. The original actor, Felice Varesi, was so embarrassed of wearing the hump during the dress rehearsal premiere in 1851 that he had a panic attack, and Verdi himself had to shove him out onto stage for his entrance. Varesi stumbled out, frightened, confused, and ashamed of his appearance, which was so much in the character of Rigoletto that the audience laughed, and he continued the act.

The opera also comments on society and how cruel mob mentality can be. Gilda, Rigoletto’s daughter, is taken advantage of for her beauty, while her father is ridiculed for his ugliness. Not only was Verdi a feminist, he was a humanitarian. This is one of the many reasons opera is still relevant today, amongst seas of handsome protagonists and perfect bodies.

Verdi showed the world that a protagonist didn’t need to be beautiful on the outside to show love and affection. He showed us how cruel we can be when we pass judgment on appearances, and demanded that we empathize with the misfortunes of others.

Verdi exposes us to what it means to be human.

Opera is not dead. It is very much alive, with a vibrant, beating heart.

Music for this scene: youtu.be/ZsdWQS05zTo?t=4m8s