John's new production of Rigoletto opened at Opera Holland Park on 20th July 2006. After a sell-out run and an additional performance the show has now closed. It was conducted by Peter Robinson and designed by Jamie Vartan, Donatella Barbiere (costumes) and Colin Grenfell (lighting), the cast includes Olafur Sigurdarson, Gail Pearson, Paul O'Neill, Paul Reeves and Heather Shipp.
"a sublime performance... excellent direction, a good band and very fine singing."
The Daily Telegraph
"...a setting that throws a fascinating light on the sexual politics of the opera... it's a show that builds to a real bang."
Metro ****
Olafur Sigurdarson as Rigoletto
"A slick modern-dress production by John La Bouchardière, this was a reading that rethought the work very successfully but without throwing the baby out with the bathwater. The story remained untouched but the insight into the characters and the many small moments of illumination created a powerful whole. La Bouchardière used the total theatre and its surrounds for entrances and exits, and the audience was literally caught up in swirl of action through and around it."
Opera Now
Admiring Gilda
"what is so clever about John La Bouchardiere's direction is that it works equally convincingly for those who have never seen Rigoletto... a most enjoyable evening."
Musical Pointers
"La Bouchardière’s direction of the work is first-class. Movement, gestures and facial expressions, however small have full emotional impact... it’s a technique that isn’t learnt, it comes from a truly instinctive sense of the drama, and is completely illuminating."
Classical Source
Playing tricks on Rigoletto
Olafur Sigurdarson as Rigoletto, pleading with society for his daughter
"The season came to an end with a real flourish in Rigoletto... an exciting evening."
What's On *****
Paul O'Neill as the Duke with Gilda's statue
Paul O'Neill with Heather Shipp as Maddelena
Olafur Sigurdarson as Rigoletto with Gail Pearson as Gilda
