Rigoletto by Giuseppe Verdi San Francisco Opera 5 October 1997 I don't believe I've ever been to an opera with a better overall balance -- strong performances everywhere, highlighted by superb performances at center stage. Ruth Ann Swenson's Gilda and Paolo Gavavelli's Rigoletto were simply captivating: thoroughly musical, with beautiful, rich sound that poured forth effortlessly from them both. Swenson sang with a round, full, burnished tone; the great coloratura in her big Act 1 aria brought a tremendous, huge ovation. She was equally impressive in the lower register, as well. I has never heard Gavanelli sing before; now I want to hear him again and again. He sang with wondrous depth and quality: great phrasing, effortless legato, good dynamics (especially poignant when shingly softly). He likewise got a big ovation after his duet with Swenson, and both were cheered lustily after the curtain. Tito Beltran sang the Duke with plenty of power; Anatoli Kotcherga's Sparafucile was also solid, with full command of the low notes. David Robertson conducted steadily, producing a crisp, precise sound. I thought the sets were cheap looking at first but the staging worked well and by the end of the show I was thinking of them as decent Hockney imitations.