Rigoletto
Giuseppe Verdi
07 | 09 | 14 | 16 August 2025
Libretto by Francesca Maria Piave, based on Victor Hugo’s Le roi s’amuse
First performed 11th March 1851 at La Fenice, Venice
Conductor Oliver Gooch
Director Nina Brazier
Designer Elliott Squire
Lighting Designer Luca Panetta
With the Bristol Ensemble
Sung in Italian with English surtitles
Giuseppe Verdi
Since its triumphant premiere in 1851, Verdi’s masterpiece Rigoletto has remained at the very heart of the operatic repertoire. The story revolves around Rigoletto, the court jester to the morally corrupt Duke of Mantua, who is tormented by the Duke's lecherous behaviour and vows to protect his daughter, Gilda. However, the Duke has already set his sights on the innocent girl, and Rigoletto unknowingly facilitates the seduction, with devastating consequences.
Renowned for its powerful arias, including Gilda’s exquisite idealisation of her new lover in Caro nome, and the Duke’s carefree La donna è mobile reflecting on the fickle nature of women, we are offered two deeply contrasting perspectives on love and relationships.
As we follow Rigoletto’s internal struggle, we witness a tragedy which captures the complexities of love, betrayal and sacrifice, the corrupting influence of power, and the very nature of revenge.
Cast
RIGOLETTO Alexey Gusev
GILDA Inna Husieva
DUKE OF MANTUA Andrés Presno
SPARAFUCILE Ronald Nairne
MADDALENA Alyona Abramova
GIOVANNA Gráinne Gillis
COUNT CEPRANO Kieran Rayner
COUNTESS CEPRANO Katie Rylands
BORSA Robin Bailey
COUNT MONTERONE Thomas Hopkinson
MARULLO Matthew Siveter
PAGE Susie Buckle
Priority booking opens for patrons, sponsors and members from Monday 10 February 2025
General booking opens on Thursday 20 March 2025
Or call Bath Box Office on: 01225 463 362
Visit our membership page to access Priority Booking, Member Pricing and other benefits.
Dates & Times
Thursday 07 August
Saturday 09 August
Thursday 14 August
Saturday 16 August
4:30pm Gardens & restaurant open
7:00pm Performance starts
9:30pm Approximate end
Running time: two hours with half-hour interval
Tickets
£25.00 - £115.00 Members
£30.00 - £120.00 Non-members
£120.00 - Band A
£99.00 - Band B
£79.00 - Band C
£59.00 - Band D
£30.00 - Band E
Children aged 12+ are welcome & under 18’s go free (limited availability, please enquire at Bath Box Office)
No dogs are permitted, except for assistance dogs
THE COWSHED BY HOMEWOOD
Introducing our exclusive, new restaurant for the 2025 season
The Cowshed by Homewood offers an exclusive, Mediterranean-inspired VIP dining experience where the art of cooking over fire takes centre stage. Here, feasting is more than a meal—it’s a celebration of flavour, craftsmanship, and the finest local ingredients.
The experience begins with generous sharing platters, brimming with hand-selected produce that showcases the best of Somerset. As the evening unfolds, the Somerset grill takes over, expertly flame-searing and smoking locally sourced meats to perfection, enhancing their rich, natural flavours.
Small plates take inspiration from Homewood’s very own No-Dig Kitchen Garden, bringing vibrant, homegrown ingredients to the table. To elevate every bite, a carefully curated selection of wines from distinguished partners offers the perfect pairing, ensuring a truly unforgettable dining experience under the open sky.
Tables in The Cowshed by Homewood will be available to book from Thursday 20 March, please register your interest below and we will email you a link to find out more and reserve a table when booking opens:
Venue
Church Farm, Wingfield, (A366 Wingfield Road), BA14 9LE. Click here for full venue details.
Wet weather
Our purpose-built theatre is fully covered and performances go ahead whatever the weather.
Accessibility
Our auditorium is accessible for wheelchairs. If you, or any member of your party require particular seating or have access needs, please inform Bath Box Office when booking your tickets to ensure we reserve the correct seating area for you.
Restaurant, picnics & bar
Tables can be pre-booked at our new restaurant, The Cowshed by Homewood from Thursday 20 March. Guests with a restaurant table booking will also gain access to the restaurant Champagne Bar.
Guests are also welcome to bring tables and chairs or rugs to picnic within the grounds of Church Farm. Please note, there are limited sheltered areas if the weather is wet.
A pop-up bar serving a selection of drinks including specially created cocktails for the season alongside wine, beer and soft drinks will also be available in the garden at all events.
Travel
There will be shuttle service available from Bradford on Avon for those travelling by public transport and Bradford on Avon residents, full details will be shared nearer the time.
By car ~ There will be free parking available onsite. Please consider sharing lifts with friends and family where possible. The parking will be managed by our team of stewards and crew and well lit.
By taxi ~ there is a taxi service located at Bradford on Avon railway station. Visit www.bradfordonavon-taxis.co.uk for taxi bookings.
By train ~ there will be a shuttle service available from Bradford on Avon train station direct to Church Farm. There are regular trains to Bradford on Avon from London (change at Bath), Bristol and Westbury. Visit www.gwr.com for train timetables and services.
By bus ~ The D1 bus connects Bradford on Avon to Bath, Winsley, Trowbridge and Warminster and there will be a shuttle service available from Bradford on Avon to Church Farm. Visit www.firstbus.co.uk for bus timetables and services.