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Overview

Synopsis

Un Ballo in Maschera follows the story of the assassination of King Gustavo III of Sweden. Gustavo is in love with Amelia, the wife of Anckarström, the king’s secretary and most loyal friend. The lovers meet in secret, even though they know that their love should not continue. Unbeknownst to the king, Count Horn and Count Ribbing are leading a conspiracy against the king to have him murdered. After a trip to see the fortune teller, Ulrica, who tells the king that he will be killed by the hand of a friend, and states that it will be Anckarström. Ignoring this vision, Gustavo continues with his plans for a masked ball, trusting in the loyalty of his friend. However, when Anckarström discovers the affair, he vows to murder the king himself. Just as Gustavo has decided to leave his love for Amelia behind, he is murdered at the ball by Anckarström.

Show Information

Libretto
Antonio Somma
Category
Opera
Age Guidance
Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
Number of Acts
3
First Produced
1859
Genres
Drama, Romance
Settings
Multiple Settings, Unit/Single Set
Time & Place
stockholm, sweden 1792
Cast Size
medium
Orchestra Size
Medium
Dancing
None
Ideal For
Mostly Male Cast, Includes Young Adult, Adult, Mature Adult, Early Teen, Late Teen, Child Characters, Medium Cast

Context

Plot

Characters

Name Part Size Gender Vocal Part

Gustavo

Lead

Male

Tenor

Renato

Lead

Male

Baritone

Amelia

Lead

Female

Soprano

Ulrica

Supporting

Female

Mezzo-Soprano

Oscar

Supporting

Male

Soprano

Cristiano

Featured

Male

Bass

Count Ribbing

Featured

Male

Bass

Count Horn

Featured

Male

Bass

Chorus

Ensemble

Either Gender

Songs

Prelude

Act I

  • Coro: Posa in pace, a’bei sogni ristora (Chorus)
  • Scena e sortita di Gustavo: La revedrà nell’estasi (Gustavo)
  • Scene e Cantabile di Renato: Alla cita che t’arride (Renato)
  • Scena e Ballata di Oscar: Volta la terrea fronte alle stelle (Oscar)
  • Seguito e stretta dell’Introduzione: Ogni cura si doni al diletto (Chorus)
  • Invocazione: Re dell’abisso, affrettati (Ulrica)
  • Scena: È lui, È lu! (Ulrica)
  • Scena: Su, fatemi largo
  • Scena e Terzetto: Della città all’occaso (Amelia, Ulrica, Gustavo)
  • Scena e Canzone: Di’tu se fedele il flutto m’aspetta (Gustavo)
  • Scena e Quintetto: È scherzo od è follia (Amelia, Ulrica, Gustavo, Count Ribbing, Count Horn)
  • Scena ed Inno-Finale I: O figlio d’Inghilterra

Act II

  • Preludio, Scena ed Aria: Ma doll’arido stelo disulsa (Amelia)
  • Duetto: Teco io sto. Gran Dio! (Amelia, Gustavo)
  • Scena e Terzetto: Tu qui? Per salvarti da lor (Amelia, Gustavo, Renato)
  • Scena e Coro nel Finale II: Avventiamoci su lui (Chorus)

Act III

  • Scena ed Aria: Morrò, ma prima in grazia (Amelia)
  • Scena ed Aria: Eri tu che macchiavi quell’anima (Renato)
  • Congiura- Terzetto-Quartetto: Dunque l’onta di tutti sol una (Amelia, Renato, Count Ribbings, Count Horn)
  • Scena e Quintetto: Di che fulgor, che musiche (Amelia, Oscar, Renato, Count Ribbings, Count Horn)
  • Scena e Finale III: Romanza: Ma se m’è forza perderti (Gustavo)
  • Scena e Duettino: T’amo, si t’amo, e in lagrime: (Amelia, Gustavo)
  • Coro nel Finale III: Ah morte, infania (Chorus)
  • Scene Finale: Ella è pura, in braccio a morte (Amelia, Oscar, Gustavo, Renato, Count Ribbings, Count Horn)

A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.

Monologues

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Scenes

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