This week, Ernesto Petti will make his debut at the Opera Australia in the title role of “Rigoletto,” marking the baritone’s role debut in the famously demanding title role.

Regarding his role debut, Petti told OperaWire, “Rigoletto is a role that I have looked forward to for a long time because it has a special place in a baritone’s career, in terms both of its vocal demands and of the psychological, on-stage and musical challenges it presents. What strikes me most about this character is the way he is condemned to suffer and this, in my view, is the thread that runs through the entire story. Rigoletto is aware that he is condemned, and this leads to the anger and frustration that stretch the vocal, physical, and emotional skills of the artist performing in this role.”

“Rigoletto” is the latest Verdi role for the baritone after performing in productions of “Il Trovatore,” “La Traviata,” “Ernani,” “Don Carlo,” “Simon Boccanegra” and “Nabucco,” among others.

For those not in Australia for the debut, Petti is set to perform at the Teatro San Carlo this season in production of “Madama Butterfly” and “La Gioconda.” He is also set to sing “Un Ballo in Maschera” at the Teatro Regio di Parma.

Recordings 

For audiences who want to hear more of Petti, the baritone has a recording of Mascagni’s “Iris.”

Here he is in “Don Carlo” and “Il Trovatore.”