Un ballo in maschera Verdi
Archived: 2018/2019Overview
Love, power and politics collide in Un ballo in maschera – based on the real-life assassination of King Gustav III of Sweden.
Love, power and politics collide in Un ballo in maschera – based on the real life assassination of King Gustav III of Sweden who was shot at a masked ball in 1792. Riccardo (Gustav) adores Amelia, but when her husband discovers their love affair, he plots against the king, leading to murder on the dancefloor. Gwyn Hughes Jones leads the cast as Riccardo in this tale of deception, intrigue, love and revenge.
The score is one of Verdi’s most intense, providing the musical passion that drives this thrilling new production. WNO Artistic Director David Pountney reunites with WNO Conductor Laureate Carlo Rizzi* and the same creative team behind La forza del destino for the second part of our Verdi Trilogy.
*Carlo Rizzi conducting in Cardiff and Birmingham only.
The Stage
The Guardian
The Telegraph
Supported by
WNO Verdi Syndicate
Patron of the Verdi Trilogy: His Excellency The Italian Ambassador
Good to know
Sung in Italian, with surtitles in English (and Welsh in Cardiff and Llandudno)
Co production with Theater Bonn
Facts
The second part of our Verdi Trilogy
Synopsis
Riccardo is a political leader who has alienated many of his supporters, who are now plotting against him. He is secretly in love with Amelia, the wife of his closest friend and adviser, Renato. Amelia is also secretly in love with Riccardo. When Renato discovers this betrayal he is determined to take his revenge and joins the group of subversives who have concluded that their best course of action is to get rid of Riccardo. His assassination is planned and Renato is selected to carry it out.