This is a live performance of Rigoletto from Belfast in 1984 with new scenes from the Belfast Grand Opera House. The BBC broadcast the show on radio.
Joseph Shore-Rigoletto
Ghillian Sullivan-Gilda
Rico Serbo-The Duke
Nicholas Greenbury-Sparafucile
Nicholas Hytner-Producer Director
David Parry-Conductor
"Baritone Joseph Shore’s magnificent voice makes him an imposing Rigoletto. He was superb in getting across the awful dilemma of the clown who jests while his heart is breaking. His duet with his daughter was the most touching moment of the evening."
THE IRISH TIMES
"The Rigoletto, Joseph Shore, is a fine dramatic baritone with ringing high A flats, and he was obviously well inside this role."
THE BELFAST TELEGRAPH
This Rigoletto is one of the triumphs of the company's history. Joseph Shore's Rigoletto is etched with enormous skill... A thoroughly believable and very musical performance.
THE ARIZONA DAILY STAR
Joseph Shore as Rigoletto is exceptional for a young singer beginning a career. He plays the role with a greater physical warp and deformity than does Kostas Paskalis of the other cast, and he was much alive, giving more variety and color to his passages in the rather slow first act. He sings with a fine fullness, resonance, and power and was convincingly mature as the grieving father in the second act. Shore's performance here should do much to send him on his way. THE HOUSTON CHRONICLE
"Joseph Shore gave the demanding name part a solid, plump-voiced, slightly burly reading, singing with forcefulness" THE HOUSTON POST
Rigoletto was visually grand, dramatically believable, and emotionally moving, musically...It was a cast that filled Rigoletto with spontaneity, freshness, and that all important ingredient, life!... Joseph Shore's Rigoletto was powerful, sometimes gut- wrenching
THE JOURNAL HERALD