Quinn Kelsey and Matthew Polenzani, together for Rigoletto
Lyric Opera of Chicago
Rigoletto marks the first time baritone Quinn Kelsey and tenor Matthew Polenzani have starred together in a Lyric production. These Ryan Opera Center alumni are highly sought after worldwide, and they cherish their ongoing association with Lyric."
Matthew hails from the greater Chicago area – born in Evanston, raised mainly in Wilmette. Although now living in Pelham, New York, he still feels connected to Chicago, whether it comes to family, good friends, or sports teams. He’s also always sensed that the Chicago audience has been able to feel what he’s feeling onstage in a special, personal way.
Rigoletto is somewhat of a departure for Matthew – he isn’t playing the good guy! Instead he’s the Duke of Mantua, opera’s ultimate cad, although, surprisingly, in Act Two Verdi does give the Duke a sweetly soulful aria. Matthew, who seeks out the humanity in all his characters, considers that soliloquy “some of the best music Verdi ever wrote.” And as for the Duke’s “La donna è mobile,” one of the most famous arias in any opera, “People love it – I love it! And why not? Because it’s fun and it ends on a high note!”