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Un-Ballo In Maschera Tickets Information

Un ballo in maschera, or A Masked Ball, is an opera in three acts by Giuseppe Verdi with text by Antonio Somma. The opera's first production was at the Teatro Apollo, Rome, February 17, 1859. The opera is based on the assassination of King Gustav III of Sweden, but is not historically accurate. During its composition and due to its politically sensitive subject matter, Verdi was asked by government censors to make many changes to the opera. Despite its tragic conclusion, Un ballo in maschera has many moments of the brilliance and irony associated with comedy -- a true literary blend that propelled the critics to brand it as "Shakespearean."

In 1792, the King of Sweden, Gustav III, was killed as a result of the political conspiracy against him. He was shot while attending a masked ball and died 13 days later from his wounds. It is on this episode that Verdi’s Masked Ball is loosely based. It is stated as loosely based due to the fact that very little of the historical truth is contained in Verdi’s opera. In 1833, the French playwright Eugène Scribe wrote a play about Gustav called Gustave III. He 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 it is Scribe’s play that is the source of the story in Verdi’s opera. Scribe’s play was well known and had been used by other composers, including Auber, as the basis for operas. However, the censors were still wary of it, since it showed the assassination of a king in a recent period of European history. During composition, the censors in Naples, for which Verdi’s opera was destined, required extensive changes, eventually demanding more alterations than the composer was willing to make. Therefore, he broke his contract and was sued by the theater, provoking him to lodge a counter-claim against the theater for damages. Eventually, the legal fight ended with withdrawal of the theater's charges, freeing Verdi to offer the opera to the Rome opera house.

But the Roman censors also wanted to make changes. Finally it was agreed that the setting would be moved from Europe, and the rank of the leading character would be reduced from king to colonial governor. So eventually after a lot of compromises the opera was produced with the setting in Boston portraying the British colonial period, and the leading character was Riccardo, the Count (or Earl) of Warwick. It is about Riccardo, who is a noble, generous leader, though often high-spirited and impetuous. He is secretly in love with the wife of his closest advisor, Renato. When the secret is revealed, Renato joins the group of conspirators plotting against Riccardo’s life. In Act I., Scene 1, a public audience is at Riccardo’s palace, which is also attended by his supporters, but at the same time by his enemies who hope for his downfall.

Riccardo 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 – Amelia, the wife of his friend and advisor, Renato. When Renato arrives, he tries to warn Riccardo about the growing conspiracy against him, but Riccardo refuses to listen to his words. Next, Riccardo is presented with a complaint against a fortune-teller named Ulrica, who is accused of witchcraft. A magistrate calls for her banishment, but Oscar the page defends her. 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. The second Act is set on the outskirts of the town, at the gallows-place. At midnight, Amelia, conquering her fears, comes here alone to pick the herb of which Ulrica told her. She is surprised by Riccardo, who has come to meet her. Now the two finally declare their love for each other.

The Act III, Scene 1 is set at 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. Renato relents, and declares that it is Riccardo, not Amelia, who deserves to die. Samuel and Tom arrive in the due course of time and Renato asks them to join the plot that he has pondered upon, thus 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. In the meanwhile, Oscar, the page, arrives with invitations to the masked ball; Samuel, Tom and Renato agree that this is where the assassination will take place. In Scene 2, Riccardo is shown as a helpless individual torn between love and duty, who has resolved to renounce his love for Amelia and send her and Renato back to England.

At the ball, Renato tries to learn from Oscar what costume Riccardo is wearing. Oscar at first refuses to tell, 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. The opera thus exhibits a true blend of love, passion, mystery, betrayal along with the strings of adventure and quest for the retention of true love. It broadens the vision of the audience thus giving them deep insight into the life of the noble which is nothing but full of conspiracies and lust for gaining more either in terms of material goods, power or for that matter love.

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