Blake Denson - a singer with a voice for Verdi
Opera North is reviving its 2022 production of Verdi’s Rigoletto – at Theatre Royal Newcastle this week [November 4-6] and Salford’s Lowry (November 12, 14).
Its interpretation, by British-Nigerian director Femi Elufowoju Jr, is unusual in that it hinges on having black actor-singers for three of the main roles: Rigoletto himself, his daughter Gilda and Monterone (sung by Sir Willard White), the man who utters a fateful curse.
Elufowoju said he wanted to show Rigoletto’s “otherness”, with the experience of a British born and bred African behind it. Watching the work four years ago, he said, the impression it left was that it could hardly have been done without those three characters sharing some physical characteristic not found among the other major roles.
In the title role this time is baritone Blake Denson, making his UK debut with Opera North: “I'm enjoying finally being able to sing the role I believe my voice is made for,” he says.
His career began at Houston Grand Opera in Texas, where he completed a two-year young artist programme before becoming a member of the permanent ensemble at Staatsoper Hamburg and also working at Bayerische Staatsoper.
Not yet 30, Blake has already performed for many prominent companies around the world, including English National Opera, Opera National de Paris, the Metropolitan Opera in New York, Washington National Opera and Los Angeles Opera, and alongside names such as Anna Netrebko and Jonas Kaufmann.
“It’s an opera that speaks directly to our humanity,” Denson says. “It is a story we can relate to, and musically, there truly isn’t a dull moment. I also believe it’s important for audiences to see people of colour in leading roles in opera, beyond those specifically written for black performers. What I would love for people to take away from this opera is to be bold and courageous. If you have a gift, which we all do, be bold and use that gift to serve other people.”
More info and tickets here
