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Giuseppe Verdi

Un ballo in maschera

Opera

Stage

Un ballo in maschera ('A Masked Ball') is an 1859 opera in three acts by Giuseppe Verdi. The text, by Antonio Somma, was based on Eugène Scribe's libretto for Daniel Auber's 1833 five act opera, Gustave III, ou Le bal masqué.

The plot concerns the assassination in 1792 of King Gustav III of Sweden who was shot, as the result of a political conspiracy, while attending a masked ball, dying of his wounds thirteen days later.

It was to take over two years between the commission from Naples, planned for a production there, and its premiere performance at the Teatro Apollo in Rome on 17 February 1859. In becoming the Un ballo in maschera which we know today, Verdi's opera (and his libretto) underwent a significant series of transformations and title changes, caused by a combination of censorship regulations in both Naples and Rome, as well as by the political situation in France in January 1858. Based on the Scribe libretto and begun as Gustavo III set in Stockholm, it became Una vendetta in domino set in Stettin, and finally Un ballo in maschera set in Boston during the colonial era. It became one of the most frustrating experiences of Verdi's career.

From Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Synopsis

Place: Stockholm, Sweden, or Boston, Massachusetts
Time: March 1792 in Sweden, or the end of the 17th century in Boston

  1. Preludio

Atto I

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

Riccardo (Gustavo) reviews the list of guests who will attend an upcoming masked ball. He is elated to see the name of the woman he loves on the list – Amelia, the wife of his friend and advisor, Renato (Count Anckarström). (Aria: La rivedrò nell'estasi / "There I will be in ecstasy to see her again"). When Renato arrives, he tries to warn Riccardo about the growing conspiracy against him (aria: Alla vita che t'arride / "Your life, so full of joy and hope"), 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 / "Turning her eyes from the earth"). 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 / "Tell me if 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.

  1. scena 1. Nº 2 “Posa in pace, a' bei sogni ristora” (Samuel, Tom, Coro)
  2. scena 1. Nº 3a Scena “S'avanza il conte” (Oscar, Riccardo)
  3. scena 1. Nº 3b Sortita di Riccardo “La rivedrà nell'estasi” (Riccardo, Samuel, Tom, Coro)
  4. scena 1. Nº 4a Scena “Il cenno mio di là con essi attendi” (Riccardo, Oscar, Renato)
  5. scena 1. Nº 4b Cantabile “Alla vita che t'arride” (Renato)
  6. scena 1. Nº 5a Scena “Il primo Giudice - S'avanzi” (Oscar, Riccardo, Giudice)
  7. scena 1. Nº 5b Ballata “Volta la terrea fronte alle stelle” (Oscar, Riccardo)
  8. scena 1. Nº 6a “Sia condannata” … “Signori, oggi d'Ulrica” (Giudice, Riccardo, Oscar, Samuel, Tom, Coro)
  9. scena 1. Nº 6b “Ogni cura si doni al diletto” (Riccardo, Renato, Oscar, Samuel, Tom, Coro)
  10. scena 2. Nº 10a Scena “Chi voi siate, l'audace parola” (Ulrica, Riccardo, Samuel, Oscar, Coro)
  11. scena 2. Nº 10a “Orsu, amici” (Riccardo, Samuel, Oscar, Ulrica, Coro)
  12. scena 2. Nº 10b Quintetto “È scherzo od è follia” (Riccardo, Ulrica, Samuel, Tom, Oscar, Coro)
  13. scena 2. Nº 11a Scena “Finisci 'l vaticinio” (Riccardo, Ulrica, Samuel, Tom, Renato, Coro)
  14. scena 2. Nº 11b Inno “O figlio d'Inghilterra” (Coro, Oscar, Riccardo, Ulrica, Renato, Samuel, Tom)
  15. scena 2. Nº 7a Scena “Zitti … l'incanto non dèssi turbare” (Coro)
  16. scena 2. Nº 7b Invocazione “Re dell'abisso, affrettati” (Ulrica)
  17. scena 2. Nº 7c Scena “Arrivo il primo!” (Riccardo, Ulrica, Coro)
  18. scena 2. Nº 7d Scena “Su, fatemi largo, saper vo' il mio fato” (Silvano, Ulrica, Riccardo, Servo, Coro)
  19. scena 2. Nº 7d “Rallegrati omai” (Silvano, Ulrica, Riccardo, Servo, coro)
  20. scena 2. Nº 8a Scena “Che v'agita così?” (Ulrica, Amelia, Riccardo)
  21. scena 2. Nº 8b Terzetto “Della città all'occaso” (Ulrica, Amelia, Riccardo)
  22. scena 2. Nº 8c “Consentimi, o signore” (Ulrica, Amelia, Riccardo)
  23. scena 2. Nº 8c “Figlia d'averno, schiudi la chiostra” (Coro, Ulrica, Amelia, Riccardo)
  24. scena 2. Nº 9a Scena “Su, profetessa, monta il treppiè” (Coro, Oscar, Riccardo)
  25. scena 2. Nº 9b Canzone “Di’ tu se fedele il flutto m’aspetta” (Riccardo, Coro)

Atto II

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 / "But when I have plucked the herb"). She is surprised by Riccardo, who has come to meet her, and 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.

  1. Nº 12a. Preludio
  2. Nº 12b. Scena “Ecco l'orrido campo ove s'accoppia” (Amelia)
  3. Nº 12c. Aria “Ma dall'arido stelo divulsa” (Amelia)
  4. Nº 13a. Scena "Teco io sto - Gran Dio!" (Riccardo, Amelia)
  5. Nº 13b. Duetto "Non sai tu che se l'anima mia" (Riccardo, Amelia)
  6. Nº 13c. "M'ami, m'ami!" (Riccardo)
  7. Nº 13d. Cabaletta "Oh, qual soave brivido" (Riccardo, Amelia)
  8. Nº 14a. Scena "Ahimè! S'appressa alcun!" (Amelia, Riccardo, Renato)
  9. Nº 14b. Terzetto "Tu qui? - Per salvarti da lor" (Riccardo, Renato, Amelia)
  10. Nº 14c. "Amico, gelosa t'affido una cura" (Riccardo, Renato)
  11. Nº 14d. Cabaletta "Odi tu come fremono cupi" (Amelia, Renato, Riccardo)
  12. Nº 15a. Scena "Seguitemi - Mio Dio!" (Renato, Amelia)
  13. Nº 15b. Coro "Avventiamoci su lui" (Coro, Samuel, Tom, Renato, Amelia)
  14. Nº 15c. Quartetto "Ve', se di notte qui colla sposa" (Samuel, Tom, Renato, Amelia, Coro)

Atto III

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: Morrò, ma prima in grazia / "I will die, but first, a kindness"). Renato relents, and declares that it is Riccardo, not Amelia, who deserves to die (Aria: Eri tu che macchiavi quell'anima / "You were the one who stained her 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 – 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'è forza perderti / "But if I am forced to lose her").
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"), 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.

  1. scena 1. Nº 16a. Scena "A tal colpa è nulla il pianto" (Renato, Amelia)
  2. scena 1. Nº 16b. Aria "Morrò, ma prima in grazia" (Amelia)
  3. scena 1. Nº 17a. Scena “Alzati! Là, tuo figlio” (Renato)
  4. scena 1. Nº 17b. Aria “Eri tu che macchiavi quell'anima” (Renato)
  5. scena 1. Nº 18a Scena “Siam soli. Udite” (Renato, Tom, Samuel)
  6. scena 1. Nº 18b. Terzetto “Dunque l'onta di tutti sol una” (Renato, Tom, Samuel)
  7. scena 1. Nº 19a. Scena "E chi vien?..." (Renato, Amelia)
  8. scena 1. Nº 19a. “D'una grazia vi supplico” (Renato, Tom, Samuel, Amelia)
  9. scena 1. Nº 19b. Quartetto "Qual tristezza m'assale, qual pena!" (Amelia, Renato, Samuel, Tom)
  10. scena 1. Nº 19b. “Qual e dunque l'eletto … Ah! Del Conte la morte si vuole!” (Renato, Samuel, Tom, Amelia)
  11. scena 1. Nº 20a. Scena “Il messaggio entri” (Renato, Oscar, Amelia, Samuel, Tom)
  12. scena 1. Nº 20b. Quintetto "Ah! Di che fulgor, che musiche" (Oscar, Amelia, Renato, Samuel, Tom)
  13. scena 2. Nº 21a. Scena “Forse la soglia attinse” (Riccardo)
  14. scena 2. Nº 21b. Romanza “Ma se m'è forza perderti” (Riccardo)
  15. scena 2. Nº 22a. Festa da ballo “Ah! dessa è là …” (Riccardo, Oscar)
  16. scena 2. Nº 22b. Coro “Fervono amori e danze” (1) (Coro, Samuel, Tom, Renato)
  17. scena 2. Nº 23a. Scena “Altro de' nostri è questo” (Samuel, Renato, Tom, Oscar)
  18. scena 2. Nº 23b. Canzone “Saper vorreste di che si veste” (Oscar)
  19. scena 2. Nº 24a. Coro “Fervono amori e danze” (2) (Coro, Renato, Oscar)
  20. scena 2. Nº 24b. “So che tu sai distinguere gli amici suoi” (Renato, Oscar)
  21. scena 2. Nº 24c. Scena "Ah! Perché qui? Fuggite … ” (Amelia, Riccardo, Renato, Oscar, coro)
  22. scena 2. Nº 24d. Duettino “T'amo, si, t'amo, e in lagrime” (Amelia, Riccardo)
  23. scena 2. Nº 24e “E tu ricevi il mio!” (Renato, Riccardo, Amelia, Oscar, coro)
  24. scena 2. Nº 24e. Scena “Dunque vedermi vuoi” (Amelia, Riccardo, Renato, Oscar, Coro)
  25. scena 2. Nº 24f. Finale “Ella è pura; in braccio a morte” (Riccardo, Amelia, Oscar, Renato, Samuel, Tom, coro)

Synopsis from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Elsewhere

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