UN BALLO IN MASCHERA
Giuseppe Verdi
Opera in three acts
Libretto by Antonio Somma based on Eugène Scribe’s libretto for the opera Gustave III by Daniel-François Auber
Somewhere between Sweden and Boston
This opera tells the love story that ended the life of Gustavo III of Sweden at the hands of one of his best friends. The libretto, inspired by the work by Eugène Scribe Gustave III, ou le bal masqué, written in 1833, was used by Giuseppe Verdi to compose an opera of stylistic maturity in 1859 that reflects on morality in conflict with love passion; about despair delivered to superstition; about loyalty that transcends injustice and crime. As so often happened, the censors were not happy with the leading role of Swedish royalty, so the historical opera based on a real story was transferred to a Boston of invented characters who, nevertheless, retain in their features the universal essence that Verdi was so interested in.
Les Arts is finally hosting the last of Verdi's major works that had yet to be produced: Un ballo in maschera. It will feature a cast of great stars: the soprano Anna Pirozzi (a memorable Lady Macbeth and Abigaille in Nabucco), the tenor Francesco Meli (remembered for his recent success in Verdi's Requiem and previously for his Don Ottavio and Edgardo), and the baritone George Petean; as well as the admired young Valencian soprano Marina Monzó, who returns to Les Arts. All are under the baton of Antonino Fogliani, who conducted Marina Rebeka in Madama Butterfly. This is a new co-production by Les Arts with the Berlin Staatsoper directed by Rafael Villalobos from Seville, one of the most internationally recognised young stage directors, who has already premiered productions at the Teatro Real, Liceu, La Zarzuela and La Monnaie theatres, Theater an der Wien, Teatro de la Maestranza and the Montpellier Opera.
