A Masked Ball
(Un ballo in maschera)
Music by Giuseppe Verdi
Libretto by Antonio Somma
The Story of the Opera
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West Bay Opera’s 47th Season (2002-2003) A Masked Ball (Un ballo in maschera) Music by Giuseppe Verdi Libretto by Antonio Somma The Story of the Opera |
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Some officers and deputies are awaiting Riccardo’s arrival. Mixing with them is a group of noblemen who are conspiring to kill him. Riccardo enters, and makes his just, noble nature evident. Oscar, his page, hands him the invitation list for a forthcoming masked ball. The first name that strikes Riccardo’s gaze is Amelia, the woman he secretly loves. She is the wife of his best friend and loyal advisor, Renato, who enters with news about the conspiracy. To his dismay, the King is unconcerned. The Chief Magistrate arrives with some documents for Riccardo to sign, including an order to banish Ulrica, a soothsayer. Oscar defends her, and Riccardo, as a lark, suggests that the whole court visit her in disguise. All agree; the conspirators hope that it will offer them an opportunity to assassinate Riccardo.
Act I, Scene Two: Ulrica’s Cave
Ulrica, surrounded by village men and women waiting for their fortunes to be told, invokes the King of Darkness. Riccardo arrives in a fisherman’s disguise, as Silvano, a sailor, is about to have his fortune told. Ulrica foresees gold and a promotion; Riccardo lightheartedly hides a purse and a scribbled commission in the sailor’s pocket, so the prophecy is proven correct. A servant, whom Riccardo recognizes as Amelia’s, arrives and asks for a private audience for his mistress. Riccardo hides and overhears Amelia confess her guilty love. Ulrica tells her of a magic herb that will cure this passion, but it must be picked at midnight beneath the gallows on the city’s outskirts. Amelia vows to go that night; Riccardo decides to follow her.
Oscar and the court arrive and Riccardo demands to have his fortune told. With great reluctance, Ulrica prophesies that he will soon die at a friend’s hand. Riccardo scoffs at the idea. Ulrica reveals that the murderer will be the man whose hand he next shakes. Riccardo’s amusement is all the greater since Renato—his best friend—now arrives and, shaking his hand, reveals the King’s identity. Riccardo pardons Ulrica and she thanks him, but renews her warning. Silvano reappears with the villagers and leads them in a song of praise for the generous Riccardo.
Act II: The Gallows at Midnight
Trembling with fear, Amelia arrives to pick the magic herb. Riccardo appears and, after declaring his love, forces her to admit that she loves him in return. As she is reminding him of his duty toward her husband, Renato himself arrives to warn Riccardo that the conspirators are about to attack. Amelia is veiled, so her husband does not recognize her. Riccardo agrees to leave only after Renato has promised to accompany the veiled woman into the city, without seeking to know her identity. When the King has gone, the conspirators arrive. As Renato is about to duel with them, Amelia intervenes and removes her veil. The conspirators mock the astonished Renato, who invites them to his house the following morning. As they go off, still laughing at his discomfort, he drags Amelia away.
Act III, Scene One: Renato’s Study
Renato enters with Amelia. Refusing to listen to her explanations, he announces that he will kill her; but as a final favor, he allows her first to go and embrace their only child. Alone, looking at Riccardo’s portrait that dominates the room, he realizes that it is not his wife but the King he must kill. The conspirators arrive. Renato declares that he wants to join their plot, and proves his sincerity by destroying the evidence he has of their treason. They agree to choose the murderer by lot, and when Amelia returns, she is made to draw a name from a vase. She draws Renato’s name, and when Oscar arrives to invite them to the masked ball that evening, the ideal opportunity seems to have presented itself. Amelia guesses what is afoot and plans to forewarn Riccardo.
Act III, Scene Two: Riccardo’s Study
Riccardo’s sense of duty has conquered his passion. He signs an order reassigning Renato (and with him, Amelia) to his native England. Oscar delivers a note from an anonymous woman warning him that an attempt will be made on his life during the ball. Fearlessly, Riccardo decides to attend it anyway.
Act III, Scene Three: The Ballroom
Many masked guests, including the conspirators, crowd the room. Oscar discovers Renato’s identity and is, in turn, unmasked. Renato pressures Oscar to describe the King’s disguise, which he does with great reluctance. Renato goes off, and Riccardo appears, joined by Amelia, who begs him to flee. As they are exchanging a last farewell, Renato returns and stabs the King. Riccardo reveals Amelia’s and his own innocence, pardons Renato and the other conspirators. As all mourn him, he dies.
