Verdi’s “Rigoletto,” starring Paolo Gavanelli and Laura Claycomb (pictured above), will be playing at the Winspear Theater until April 10. (SPENCER EGGERS/The Daily Campus)

Giusseppe Verdi penned some of opera’s masterpieces. His compositions are some of the finest that Italian Romanticism has to offer.

The Dallas Opera’s current production of “Rigoletto” captures the beauty in the music and the story, with clean conducting and world-class performers.

The opera opens on a party in the palace, the Duke sings of his ways with the women. When Count Monterone arrives, with a vendetta against the Duke, Rigoletto mocks the Count, who then curses the two of them.

It seems that everyone is out to get poor Rigoletto the rest of the opera, from the noblemen who wish to capture his lover, whom we find out later is actually his daughter, Gilda. The girl falls innocently in love with the Duke, who seduces her.

Rigoletto seeks vengeance against the Duke and hires Sparafucile to carry out his plot, but the curse that Monterone has laid against him is fulfilled when Gilda sacrifices herself to save her beloved Duke.

The Dallas Opera sets the stage for this tragedy with an incredibly powerful opening. Rigoletto is in front of a slanted mirror, gazing up into it as he dons his jester suit and the audience sees his sorrowful face.

This intensity continues as Michael Yeargan’s set, which is a transformable backdrop of storm clouds, shifts from one shape to another to open it for the performers.

SMU alumnus Pietro Rizzo’s conducting also lends to the atmosphere of the play, as he leads an orchestra through Verdi’s emotional music, with appropriate muted sections and rising crescendos. It is especially powerful in the moments of the storm at the end of the opera, as the orchestra recreates the moaning wind and crashing thunder.

What is really remarkable in this production, though, are the performances of Paolo Gavenelli as Rigoletto and Laura Claycomb as Gilda. It’s a Dallas Opera debut for both of them, and a homecoming of sorts for SMU alumna Claycomb. Their vocals are the most powerful of the season.

Claycomb’s love-struck meditations and Gavenelli’s vengeful cries of anguish are breathtaking, but what is even more moving is how well their voices blend in their duets. Her sweet, clear Soprano matched with his rich, husky Baritone meet in perfect harmony.

Another powerful performance is Raymond Aceto as Sparafucile. His deep bass voice makes him an intimidating player in this revenge opera.

This production is interesting, heartbreaking and enchanting. A must-see for any opera lover.

“Rigoletto” has performances March 30 and April 2, 7 and 10. For more information visit dallasopera.org.