Rigoletto, a court jester working for the Duke of Mantua, hates his boss and tries in vain to protect his daughter Gilda from the dangerous world the duke inhabits. Rigoletto's plan of revenge fails, but why? Is it the evil curse? The maid who knows too much? The assassin who does not keep his word? The story could happen today, but Verdi sets his opera in renaissance Italy. This powerful tale is presented as a 'dress rehearsal,' so you can see the backstage workings of an opera. Opera to Go narrates the story in English and sings in the original Italian. You join them as "extras," and as a chorus of nasty courtiers. Rigoletto is one of the most famous of all tragic operas.