The Venezuelan conductor, Diego Matheuz, one of the bright young hopes born out of the National System of Youth and Children's Orchestras of Venezuela will make his opera debut at La Fenice in Venice, directing a production of Giuseppe Verdi’s Rigoletto.

La Fenice orchestra will be led by maestro Matheuz, the choir of this opera house will be conducted by Claudio Marino Moretti, and the stage director is Daniele Abbado, son of Claudio Abbado, who has generously supported Matheuz international career as a conductor.

A cast of renowned opera singers will perform under the baton of Matheuz: baritone Roberto Frontali in the role of Rigoletto, the acclaimed American tenor Eric Cutler as the Duke of Mantua and the soprano Desirée Rancatore, one of the opera leading figures in Italy, as Gilda.

On Tuesday, October 6, the role of Rigoletto will be performed by Dario Schmunk, Dimitri Platanias will play the part of the Duke of Mantua, and Olga Peretyatko will perform the role of Gilda.

Rigoletto was first performed on March 11, 1851 at La Fenice, the same opera house where Diego Mathuez –whose opera debut has been reported in the International press— will raise his baton next Wednesday and Friday.

The Italian libretto was written by Francesco Maria Piave based on the play Le roi s'amuse by Victor Hugo.  Passion, drama, and revenge are combined in the plot that tells the story of the Duke of Mantua and his impossible love for Gilda.

Diego Matheuz began his conducting studies in 2005 under the guidance of maestro José Antonio Abreu, who has been an inspiration to this young conductor.  He has served as assistant conductor to maestro Dudamel and the SBYOV on its most recent tours.

In 2008 Diego made a successful debut in Bologna, Italy, with the Mozart Orchestra; and the following year he was appointed as guess principal conductor of this orchestra by maestro Claudio Abbado.

The very same year he conducted violinist Pinchas Zukerman and the National Arts Centre Orchestra in Ottawa.  In February 2010 he served as assistant conductor to Gustavo Dudamel and the LA Phil. Matheuz also conducted a series of educational concerts with this orchestra.