Verdi’s Rigoletto unveils a world where court jesters openly mock courtiers, thoughtless taunts lead to a deadly curse and comedy is the first act to tragedy. With fully realized characters and unforgettable music Rigoletto has remained one of Verdi’s most popular operas. Gordon Hawkins returns to Arizona Opera in the title role of Rigoletto and brings to life the multi-dimensional character whose motivations are more complicated than they appear.