"Rigoletto the Cursed" Rigoletto the Cursed is an opera written by Giuseppe Verdi. It is based on Victor Hugo's play Le roi s'amuse. The opera tells the tragic story of a hunchbacked court jester, Rigoletto, who serves the Duke of Mantua. Rigoletto is known for his sharp tongue and witty remarks, but he also has a vulnerable side. The opera opens with Rigoletto mocking the courtiers and making fun of the people around him. However, one of the courtiers, Count Monterone, confronts him about his cruel behavior.
A modern look inside the brain, written as beautifully as a long-form poem. Don’t miss this opportunity to let Kemp show you the how and why of where.
— David Eagleman, Stanford neuroscientist, author of Incognito and Livewired
Christopher Kemp s brilliant and beguiling new book reveals that behind the curtain of the seemingly quotidian act of traversing space lies an array of intricate neuroscientific magic tricks, temporal feats of strength, hiccups, and elusive mysteries. Christopher Kemp may not be able to find his way out of a stairwell, but he has quickly and with no false turns made his way to the top of my list of favorite science writers.
However, one of the courtiers, Count Monterone, confronts him about his cruel behavior. Monterone curses Rigoletto, predicting that he will experience the pain he has caused others. Rigoletto's personal life is also filled with tragedy.
Dark and Magical Places: The Neuroscience of Navigation (Paperback)
How the brain helps us to understand and navigate space—and why, sometimes, it doesn’t work the way it should.
Inside our heads we carry around an infinite and endlessly unfolding map of the world. Navigation is one of the most ancient neural abilities we have—older than language. In Dark and Magical Places, Christopher Kemp embarks on a journey to discover the remarkable extent of what our minds can do.
Fueled by his own spatial shortcomings, Kemp describes the brain regions that orient us in space and the specialized neurons that do it. Place cells. Grid cells. He examines how the brain plans routes, recognizes landmarks, and makes sure we leave a room through a door instead of trying to leave through a painting. From the secrets of supernavigators like the indigenous hunters of the Bolivian rainforest to the confusing environments inhabited by people with place blindness, Kemp charts the myriad ways in which we find our way and explains the cutting-edge neuroscience behind them.
How did Neanderthals navigate? Why do even seasoned hikers stray from the trail? What spatial skills do we inherit from our parents? How can smartphones and our reliance on GPS devices impact our brains? In engaging, engrossing language, Kemp unravels the mysteries of navigating and links the brain’s complex functions to the effects that diseases like Alzheimer’s, types of amnesia, and traumatic brain injuries have on our perception of the world around us.
A book for anyone who has ever felt compelled to venture off the beaten path, Dark and Magical Places is a stirring reminder of the beauty in losing yourself to your surroundings. And the beauty in understanding how our brains can guide us home.
About the Author
Christopher Kemp is a molecular biologist specializing in neurodegenerative diseases at Michigan State University. He lives with his family in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Praise For…
Christopher Kemp may not be able to find his way out of a stairwell, but he has quickly and with no false turns made his way to the top of my list of favorite science writers. For all his navigational shortcomings, Kemp is an expert guide to the most complex landscape of all: the human brain. He’s a natural storyteller, a deft explainer, and a terrific and funny writer.
— Mary Roach, author of Fuzz
Christopher Kemp’s brilliant and beguiling new book reveals that behind the curtain of the seemingly quotidian act of traversing space lies an array of intricate neuroscientific magic tricks, temporal feats of strength, hiccups, and elusive mysteries. Like the brain itself, Kemp’s wild writing quakes and sparks, uncovering the lyric lurking in the neuroscientific, the hilarious in the incantatory.
— Matthew Gavin Frank, author of Flight of the Diamond Smugglers
A dazzling—at times dizzying—exploration of brains and places, how they trouble one another and how they give one another meaning.
— Robert Moor, author of On Trails
A fascinating and sneakily amusing book. Kemp is an elegant and quick-witted writer who, feeling perpetually and hopelessly lost himself, is perfectly qualified to lead us through some of the most complicated and discombobulating corners of human cognition.
— John Mooallem, author of Wild Ones and This Is Chance!
A modern look inside the brain, written as beautifully as a long-form poem. Don’t miss this opportunity to let Kemp show you the how and why of where.
— David Eagleman, Stanford neuroscientist, author of Incognito and Livewired
As both scientist and scribe, Kemp brings his gifts of curiosity and intelligence to bear on the topic of navigation and shows us that there is no shame in being lost. On the contrary, Kemp demonstrates that to be continuously and authentically in search of our place on Earth is a wondrous thing.
— M. R. O’Connor, author of Wayfinding
Finding our way is a basic necessity of life, yet it is mostly taken for granted. Kemp effectively explains just how complex and astonishing that task really is.
— Tony Miksanek - Booklist
An intense lesson in the neuroscience of getting around.
— Kirkus
This tome is no textbook. It is designed to be accessible to a large audience: Nonscientists will benefit from Kemp’s capacity to render vivid representations of the complexity of living organisms, but scientists, too, are likely to gain something from reading this book.
— Marcia Bécu and Christian F. Doeller - Science
Kemp debunks numerous myths, including the idea that females possess poorer navigational skills than males, and reflects on the difference between the navigational abilities of modern humans versus those of Neanderthals. What separates the two, he suggests, is the use of the subjunctive form, which led to humans being better at navigating. Kemp peppers in accounts of his own poor navigational abilities and colorful stories of people getting lost, which keep things moving along. The result is both enjoyable and accessible.
— Publishers Weekly
- Science / Life Sciences / Neuroscience
- Medical / Neuroscience
- Science / Life Sciences / Molecular Biology
- Transportation / Navigation
- Hardcover (January 25th, 2022): $26.95
- Compact Disc (January 25th, 2022): $41.99
This tome is no textbook. It is designed to be accessible to a large audience: Nonscientists will benefit from Kemp’s capacity to render vivid representations of the complexity of living organisms, but scientists, too, are likely to gain something from reading this book.
— Marcia Bécu and Christian F. Doeller - Science
He has a daughter, Gilda, whom he loves dearly. However, Gilda falls in love with the Duke, who pretends to be a student named Gualtier Maldè. Rigoletto tries to protect Gilda from the Duke's seductive ways, but ultimately fails. The Duke's courtiers, seeking revenge on Rigoletto for his insults, convince him to help them abduct Gilda. Rigoletto is horrified when he realizes what he has done and tries to save his daughter, but it is too late. Gilda sacrifices herself to save the Duke, whom she still loves. Rigoletto is left devastated and broken. The curse of Monterone comes true when Rigoletto discovers that the body he thought was the Duke's was actually Gilda's. The tragic events of the opera leave Rigoletto completely shattered. He curses his fate and realizes the consequences of his actions. The opera ends with Rigoletto's haunting aria, reflecting on the curse and the pain he has endured. "Rigoletto the Cursed" is a powerful opera that explores themes of love, betrayal, and the consequences of our actions. Verdi's music, combined with the emotional performances of the actors, creates a gripping and heartbreaking story. Rigoletto's journey from a witty and caustic jester to a broken and remorseful father is a testament to the power of opera to convey deep human emotions..
Reviews for "Rigoletfo the Cursed: An Exploration of Tragedy and Misfortune"
1. John - 2/5
I was really disappointed with "Rigoletto the cursed". The storyline was confusing and hard to follow, and the characters were not well developed. The music was also not memorable and failed to evoke any emotion. Overall, the production felt uninspired and lackluster. I would not recommend it to anyone looking for an enjoyable opera experience.
2. Sarah - 1/5
I have to say, "Rigoletto the cursed" was one of the worst opera performances I have ever seen. The set design was outdated and cheap-looking, and the costumes were unimpressive. The vocals were underwhelming, with several off-key moments that made it painful to listen to. The pacing was slow, and the whole production lacked energy and excitement. Save your money and skip this one.
3. Michael - 2/5
"Rigoletto the cursed" left me feeling underwhelmed and unsatisfied. The acting was mediocre and failed to bring the characters to life. The stage direction felt uncreative, with some scenes feeling stagnant and uninteresting. Additionally, the overall production lacked coherence and failed to create a compelling narrative. It was a disappointment considering the hype surrounding this opera. I would not recommend it to others.