The Berkshire Opera Festival has announced a new production of “Rigoletto.”

The festival will present “Rigoletto” for its third season, with performances on August 25, 28, and 31 at the historic Colonial Theatre in Pittsfield.

The production will be directed by General Director Jonathan Loy and conducted by Artistic Director Brian Garman. It comes after the success of the company’s “Madama Butterfly” and “Ariadne Auf Naxos.” As with the first and second seasons, there will also be accompanying recitals and outreach events around the local Berkshire community.

The opera will feature Romanian baritone Sebastian Catana in the title role. Catana is highly in demand in the US and abroad for his interpretations of the great Verdi baritone roles.

Soprano Maria Valdes will sing the role of Gilda and the Duke of Mantua will be interpreted by Jonathan Tetelman. Valdes will make her New York City Opera debut in “Cruzar la Cara de la Luna” and sings at the Opera San José and Opera Theatre Saint Louis this season.

Tetelman recently sang the role of Flavio in “Norma” at the Metropolitan Opera and will sing at the New Orleans Opera for its 75th Anniversary season, performing “Il Tabasco”

Bass-Baritone Joseph Barron takes on Sparafucile and Maya Lahyani sings Maddalena.

Cast and Creative:
Rigoletto – Sebastian Catana
Gilda – Maria Valdes
The Duke of Mantua – Jonathan Tetelman
Sparafucile – Joseph Barron
Maddalena – Maya Lahyani
Count Monterone – John Cheek
Borsa Matteo – Joshua Sanders
Marullo – Nicholas Martorano

Conductor – Brian Garman
Stage Director – Jonathon Loy
Scenic Designer – Stephen Dobay
Costume Designer – Charles Caine
Hair and Make-Up Designer – Beckie Kravetz
Choreographer – Sara Erde
Assistant Conductor and Chorus Master – Geoffrey Larson
Principal Coach and Rehearsal Pianist – Djordje Nesic
Associate Pianist – Nicholas Roehler
Production and Stage Manager – Cindy Knight