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16 October 2021 (Sat), 18:00 Mikhailovsky Classical Ballet and Opera Theatre (established 1833) - Opera Giuseppe Verdi "Un ballo in maschera (A Masked Ball)"

Running time: 3 hours 20 minutes (till 21:20)

The performance has 2 intermissions

Schedule for Giuseppe Verdi "Un ballo in maschera (A Masked Ball)" 2022

Composer: Giuseppe Verdi
Musical Director: Peter Feranec
Principal Chorus Master: Vladimir Stolpovskikh
Costume Designer: Alla Marusina
Chorus Master: Alexey Dmitriyev
Chorus Master: Sergey Tsyplenkov
Director: Yulia Prokhorova
Stage Director: Andrejs Zagars
Designer: Andris Freibergs
Costume Designer: Kristine Pasternaka
Lighting Designer: Kevin W. Jones
Choreography: Elita Bukovska

Orchestra: Mikhailovsky Symphony Orchestra
Opera company: Mikhailovsky Opera

Opera in 3 acts

Performed in Italian the performance will have Russian supertitles

World premiere: 17 February 1859, Teatro Apollo, Rome, Italy
Premiere in Russia: 13 October 1882 St Petersburg, Russia
Premiere of this production: 21 July 2010, Mikhailovsky theatre, St. Petersburg, Russia

Libretto by Antonio Somma and Francesco Maria Piave based on Eugene Scribe’s play Gustave III. 

The Mikhailovsky Theatre closed its 177th season with an opera premiere - a new production of Un ballo in maschera (A Masked Ball) by Giuseppe Verdi. The assassination of Gustav III of Sweden in 1792 became the basis of many plays and operas, among them an opera libretto by Eugene Scribe, set by Giuseppe Verdi in 1859 as Un ballo in maschera. In order to become the Un ballo in maschera which we know today, Verdi`s opera was forced to undergo a series of transformations, caused by a combination of censorship regulations, as well as the political situation in France in 1858. Verdi retained the names of some of the historical figures involved, the conspiracy, and the killing at the masked ball. The rest of the play - the characterizations, the romance, the fortune-telling - is an invention and the opera is not historically accurate. Andrejs Zagars, a Latvian stage director, in cooperation with set designer Andris Freibergs and costume designer Kristine Pasternaka staged a new production of the opera at the Mikhailovsky Theatre. The public of St Petersburg saw a stylish and exciting piece which was a showcase for the best soloists of the Mikhailovsky Opera.
Un ballo in maschera (A Masked Ball), is an opera in three acts by Giuseppe Verdi with text by Antonio Somma. The libretto is loosely based on an 1833 play, Gustave III, by French playwright Eugene Scribe who wrote about the historical assassination of King Gustav III of Sweden. The subject was well known and had been used by other composers, including Daniel Auber, for his 1833 opera, Gustave III, ou Le bal masqura and later by Saverio Mercadante for his Il reggente in 1843.

In 1792, the King of Sweden, Gustav III, was killed, the result of a political conspiracy against him. He was shot while attending a masked ball and died 13 days later from his wounds. For the libretto, Scribe retained the names of some of the historical figures involved, the conspiracy, and the killing at the masked ball. The rest of the play - the characterizations, the romance, the fortune-telling, etc. - is Scribe`s invention and the opera is not historically accurate.

However, in order to become the Un ballo in maschera which we know today, Verdi's opera (and his libretto) was forced to undergo a series of transformations, caused by a combination of censorship regulations in both Naples and Rome, as well as the political situation in France in January 1858.




Synopsis
Place, Sweden or Boston, Massachusetts.
Time, Sweden: 1792, or Boston: the end of the 17th century.

Act 1

Scene 1: A public audience at Riccardo's palace, attended by his supporters, but also by his enemies who hope for his downfall

Riccardo (Gustavo) reviews the list of guests who will attend an upcoming masked ball. He is elated to see on the list the name of the woman he loves ЁC Amelia, the wife of his friend and advisor, Renato (Count Anckarstr§иm). (Aria: La rivedr§С nell'estasi / "With rapture I shall look upon her"). When Renato arrives, he tries to warn Riccardo about the growing conspiracy against him (aria: Alla vita che t'arride / "To the life with which you are favoured"), but Riccardo refuses to listen to his words.

Next, Riccardo is presented with a complaint against a fortune-teller named Ulrica (Madame Arvidson), accused of witchcraft. A magistrate calls for her banishment, but Oscar the page defends her (Aria: Volta la terrea / "That tense countenance"). Riccardo resolves to investigate for himself and tells the members of the court to disguise themselves and to meet him at Ulrica's lodging later that day.

 

Scene 2: At Ulrica's dwelling

Ulrica summons her magical powers: Re dell'abisso, affrettati / "King of the abyss make haste". Disguised as a fisherman, Riccardo arrives before the others. He makes the fortune of a sailor named Silvano come true by spiriting a document of promotion into his pouch, convincing the crowd of the truth of Ulrica's powers. When he realizes that Amelia is coming to see Ulrica, he hides and watches. Alone with Ulrica, Amelia confesses that she is tormented by her love for Riccardo, and asks for a means to bring peace to her heart. Ulrica tells her to gather a certain herb with magical powers; Riccardo resolves to be there when she does so. Amelia leaves.

Now Riccardo presents himself again, along with all of the courtiers, and asks to have his fortune told. (Aria: Di' tu se fedele / "Say whether the sea Awaits me faithfully"). Ulrica reveals that he will be killed by the next man who shakes his hand. He laughingly dismisses her prophecy and offers his hand to the courtiers, who refuse to take it. Renato arrives and shakes Riccardo's hand in greeting. Riccardo's true identity is now revealed and he is acclaimed by the people.

Act 2

On the outskirts of the town, at the gallows-place. Midnight

 

Amelia, conquering her fears, has come here alone to pick the herb of which Ulrica told her (Aria: Ma dall'arido stelo divulsa / " If through the arid stalks"). She is surprised by Riccardo, who has come to meet her. Now the two finally declare their love for each other.

Unexpectedly, Renato arrives, and Amelia covers her face with her veil before he can recognize her. Renato explains to Riccardo that the conspirators are pursuing him, and his life is in danger. Riccardo leaves, making Renato promise to escort the veiled woman safely back to town, not asking her identity. When the conspirators arrive, they confront Renato; in the struggle, Amelia's veil drops. Renato assumes that Amelia and Riccardo have been involved in an adulterous love affair. He asks the two leaders of the conspiracy, Samuel and Tom, to meet him the next day.

Act 3

Scene 1: Renato's house

Renato has resolved to kill Amelia for the dishonor she has brought on him. She protests her innocence and begs to see her son one last time. (Aria: Morr§д, ma prima in grazia / "I shall die - but one last wish"). Renato relents, and declares that it is Riccardo, not Amelia, who deserves to die (Aria: Eri tu che macchiavi quell'anima / "It was you who stained this soul").

 

Samuel (Count Ribbing) and Tom (Count Horn) arrive, and Renato asks to join their plot, pledging the life of his son as proof of his sincerity. They agree to draw lots to decide who will kill Riccardo. Amelia is forced to draw the winning name ЁC Renato.

Oscar, the page, arrives with invitations to the masked ball; Samuel, Tom and Renato agree that this is where the assassination will take place.

Scene 2: The ball

Riccardo, torn between love and duty, has resolved to renounce his love for Amelia and send her and Renato back to England (Aria: Ma se m'§Ъ forza perderti / "But if I am forced to lose you").

At the ball, Renato tries to learn from Oscar what costume Riccardo is wearing. Oscar at first refuses to tell (Aria: Saper vorreste / "You want to know How he is dressed"), but finally answers: a black cloak and a red ribbon. Riccardo manages to identify Amelia and tells her of the decision he has made. As they say goodbye, Renato stabs Riccardo. The wounded Riccardo discloses that though he loved Amelia, she never broke her marriage vows. He pardons all the conspirators, bidding farewell to his friends and his country as he dies.






Schedule for Giuseppe Verdi "Un ballo in maschera (A Masked Ball)" 2022


Un ballo in maschera
 
About This Video
01:52
Un ballo in maschera
Mikhailovsky theatre, St.Petersburg, Russia


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