Opera Philadelphia is set to return to the Academy of Music stage for the first time since September 2019 with a new production of “Rigoletto.”

The opera, which will be performed four times from April 29-May 8, will return to the company for the first time in 15 years. The new production will see baritone Anthony Clark Evans take on the title role with tenor Joshua Blue making his role debut as the Duke of Mantua and Raven McMillon taking on her first-ever Gilda.

They will be joined by bass Wei Wu as Sparafucile and mezzo-soprano Kristen Choi will sing Maddalena.

In a timely production from New Zealand Opera, director Lindy Hume will helm the production which will offer no mercy for powerful men who abuse women and confronts newsmakers of today with her interpretation of Verdi’s classic.