Rigoletto Reduced Orchestration

Rigoletto

Giuseppe Verdi

Reduced Orchestration: 1(picc,alto)1(CA)11 111(opt)0 11(vla)111 timp/perc

Flute/Piccolo/Alto, Oboe/Cor anglais, Clarinet, Bassoon, Horn, Trumpet, Trombone (optional), Violin I, Violin II/Viola, Viola, Cello, Double Bass, Timpani/Percussion

This orchestral reduction of Verdi’s Rigoletto is aimed for performance using twelve players. A thirteenth player (trombone) is optional. The flute doubles with piccolo and alto flute and the oboe doubles with cor anglais. The 2nd violin is required to double with viola, though this doubling is relatively simple and straightforward.

The arrangement can also be performed with an enlarged string section. Two differing sets of string parts available – for ‘single strings’ and for ‘multi strings’. If the ‘multi strings’ set of parts is used, no violin II/viola doubling is required.

The timpani/percussion part is prepared for one player and includes all of the composer’s original timpani and percussion music. A second player could be an advantage.

This reduced orchestration was created in 2009 for a run of performances at the Tobacco Factory Theatre in Bristol, UK. It has since been performed extensively, most recently by Opera Coeur D’Alene (USA), Clyde Opera Group (Scotland) and Eternity Opera (New Zealand). It was performed by Istituzione Teatro Lirico Sperimentale di Spoletto “A. Belli” in Italy in September 2020 in an experimental ‘socially distanced’ staging during the COVID-19 pandemic, described here.

For more information or to hire this Rigoletto reduced orchestration, please contact us