The great Italian baritone Matteo Manuguerra sang many times at Seattle Opera when Glynn Ross was General Director. In 1973, he was Rigoletto to the Gilda of the fine French coloratura Mady Mesplé.

Robert Petersen (Rigoletto) in Verdi’s Rigoletto, 1973. © Des Gates

Verdi’s Rigoletto, 1973. © Des Gates

Barry Morrell (Duke of Mantua) in Verdi’s Rigoletto, 1973. © Des Gates

Verdi’s Rigoletto, 1973. © Des Gates

Matteo Manuguerra (Rigoletto) in Verdi’s Rigoletto, 1973. © Des Gates

Mady Mesplé (Gilda) and Matteo Manuguerra (Rigoletto) in Verdi’s Rigoletto, 1973. © Des Gates

Verdi’s Rigoletto, 1973. © Des Gates

Matteo Manuguerra (Rigoletto) and Mady Mesplé (Gilda) in Verdi’s Rigoletto, 1973. © Des Gates

Verdi’s Rigoletto, 1973. © Des Gates

Matteo Manuguerra (Rigoletto) in Verdi’s Rigoletto, 1973. © Des Gates