Act 1 Scene 2: A dark alley between Rigoletto’s house and the Ceprano Palace           

Deeply disturbed and brooding on Monterone’s curse, the jester returns to his house. In the alley he is approached by the professional assassin Sparafucile, who offers his services. Rigoletto declines and dismisses him. The hunchback is greeted eagerly by his daughter, Gilda, who, fresh from the convent, knows nothing of her family or of her father’s occupation. Rigoletto warns her to stay concealed in their house, and the girl insists that she leaves the house only to attend church. The maid, Giovanna, assures him that the gate is securely locked at all times. Gilda does not reveal to him that she has fallen in love with a handsome young man she encountered on her way to church.

Hearing a disturbance in the street, Rigoletto leaves the courtyard briefly and the duke, aided by Giovanna, slips into the garden unobserved. When Rigoletto leaves, Gilda admits that she feels guilty for having deceived her father and confesses her love for the young man. The duke, overjoyed, comes out of hiding and declares his love, introducing himself as a poor student—Gualtier Maldé. Hearing noises in the street and fearing that her father has returned, Gilda begs him to leave. They ardently repeat their vows of love as he departs.                                                          

Outside in the alley, the vengeful courtiers plot to abduct Gilda—believing her to be the jester’s mistress. Rigoletto returns unexpectedly, and they convince him that it is their intention to abduct the Countess Ceprano, whose house is nearby. He offers to help them, but in the extreme darkness he unknowingly assists in the abduction of Gilda. Too late, Rigoletto realizes that he has been duped and, distraught, he remembers Monterone’s curse. 

Act II: The duke’s apartments in the Palace

The duke enters in a rage. On a whim he had returned to Gilda’s house only to find her gone and the house deserted. The noblemen enter noisily to inform the duke that they have abducted Rigoletto’s mistress and that she awaits him in his private apartments. Listening to the account of their exploits he realizes that the woman they have abducted is Gilda. He rushes off to see her, declaring that he will reveal to her the truth about his identity. Rigoletto arrives feigning indifference but desperately seeking signs of the whereabouts of his daughter. When questioned, the courtiers disclaim any knowledge of the events of the previous night. Rigoletto suddenly realizes that Gilda is with the duke, and he declares that the woman they abducted was, in fact, his daughter. The courtiers are astonished, but Rigoletto’s tearful entreaties still fail to move them. Gilda rushes in and begs her father to send the courtiers away. When they have departed Gilda confesses her love for the duke and her shame at having deceived her father. Although acknowledging that the duke has wronged her, she begs her father to forgive him. Rigoletto vows vengeance against his master, while Gilda pleads for him.

Act III: Sparafucile’s tavern on the banks of the River Mincio

30 days have passed during which time Gilda has remained in the palace as the Duke’s mistress.

The duke has been lured to the tavern by Sparafucile’s sister, Maddalena. Rigoletto, having hired Sparafucile to kill the duke, brings Gilda to the inn, determined to prove to her that the duke is entirely dishonorable. Gilda declares her love for the duke and her firm conviction that he truly loves her. She then witnesses the duke’s profligate behavior with Maddalena and is heartbroken. Rigoletto orders his daughter to return home, put on man’s attire, and prepare to leave for Verona, where he will follow later. Because of an approaching storm the duke determines to remain at the inn and Sparafucile shows  him to an  upstairs room.

Gilda, still firm in her love for the duke, returns dressed as a young man. She overhears Maddalena begging for the duke’s life and Sparafucile’s promise that, if by midnight another victim can be found, he will spare the duke. Gilda resolves to sacrifice herself and enters the house knowing that Sparafucile’s dagger awaits her.                     

At midnight Rigoletto returns to claim the sack containing the duke’s corpse and  triumphantly prepares to throw it into the river. Suddenly he hears the sound of the duke’s voice in the distance. Incredulous and terrified, he opens the sack to discover his dying daughter.