Power Verdi: Gavanelli Leads Distinguished, World Class “Rigoletto” Cast – Dallas Opera, March 30, 2011

April 1st, 2011

The role of his daughter Gilda is the most mportant Verdian role for a coloratura soprano. Gavanelli’s Gilda was Laura Claycomb. Hers is a lustrous voice, affecting in her duets with Gavanelli’s Rigoletto, passionate in those with tenor James Valenti’s Duke of Mantua.

[Below: Laura Claycomb as Gilda; edited image, based on a a Karen Almond photograph, courtesy of the Dallas Opera.]

Claycomb was technically brilliant in Gilda’s great aria “Caro Nome”, which Claycomb delivered, singing prone on the upper part of a two story set, for which she received an audience ovation.