A timeless tale of power, passion and political plotting
A scene from Un ballo in maschera at Opera North Photo: CLIVE BARDA/ArenaPAL
Sunday 16 September at 6.00pm on RNZ Concert
At the heart of Un ballo in maschera is a tragic love triangle and ultimately, a lethal vendetta.
This intense opera is inspired by the real-life assassination of King Gustavus of Sweden in 1792. Gustavus secretly loves Amelia, the wife of his most loyal ally, Anckarström. When Anckarström discovers the affair, he joins a plot against Gustavus which culminates in a murderous masked ball.
A scene from Un ballo in maschera at Opera North Photo: CLIVE BARDA/ArenaPAL
Dramatic arias jostle with tense ensembles and rousing choruses, and at the heart of the piece is one of Verdi’s most impassioned love duets.
Phillip Rhodes in Un ballo in maschera at Opera North Photo: CLIVE BARDA/ArenaPAL
Gustavo....................... Rafael Rojas
Amelia......................... Adrienn Miksch
Count Anckarström..... Phillip Rhodes
Count Ribbing............. Dean Robinson
Count Horn.................. Stephen Richardson
Oscar........................... Tereza Gevorgyan
Chief Justice................ Ivan Sharpe
Ulrica Arvidson........... Patricia Bardon
Cristiano...................... Richard Mosley-Evans
Amelia’s Servant........ Stuart Laing
Opera North Chorus and Orchestra/Richard Farnes
VERDI: Un Ballo in Maschera
Recorded Leeds (BBC, WFMT)
