RIGOLETTO IN VERONA “The Duke must of necessity be a lecher” – with these words Verdi opposed the police censorship of his Rigoletto. For the then government the dissipated and unscrupulous life at court was portrayed too realistically in the opera, so that only after considerable revision was Rigoletto finally premièred in Venice in 1851. Verdi drew his scenario from Victor Hugo’s tragedy Le roi s’amuse, the name Rigoletto being a variation of the French rigoleur (jester). THE ARENA OF VERONA Verona’s Arena is the largest and best-preserved Roman amphitheatre after the Coliseum in Rome. Built in the first century A.D., it was originally situated outside the city walls but in 265 the city’s fortifications were rebuilt, enclosing the Arena. In the course of history it has witnessed gladiatorial combat, tournaments, duels and bullfi ghts. Since 10 August 1913 the Arena has been the setting for Verona’s famous summer opera festival.