The vocalist cast includes Russian baritone Boris Statsenko in the title role, Vienna-based Israeli soprano Hila Fahima as Gilda and Italian tenor Salvatore Cordella as the Duke of Mantua.
By JERUSALEM POST STAFFThe Israeli Opera presents ‘Romeo and Juliet’ by Charles Gonoud(photo credit: ALAIN HANEL)
The Jerusalem Opera Festival is back for the second time from June 22 to 25. Verdi’s Rigoletto will open the festival at the Sultan’s Pool open-air venue, against the backdrop of the Old City.The vocalist cast includes Russian baritone Boris Statsenko in the title role, Vienna-based Israeli soprano Hila Fahima as Gilda and Italian tenor Salvatore Cordella as the Duke of Mantua. Their efforts will be underscored by the Israeli Opera Chorus with the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra, IBA.In addition to Rigoletto, the Jerusalem Opera Festival lineup will also appeal to silver screen fans, with the Opera Paradiso opera and film event, also at the Sultan’s Pool. The slot includes screenings of excerpts from such blockbuster movies as Pretty Woman, The Fifth Element and Amadeus. Opera soloists perform the numbers in question, with Ethan Schmeisser conducting the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra, IBA.The family scene is also well catered to on June 25, with The Magic Flute at The Science Museum Jerusalem (11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.) and Cinderella at YES Planet (10:30 a.m.).For tickets and more information: *9066, www.jerusalem- opera.com.Barry Davis contributed to this report.