Giuseppe Verdi - Un ballo in maschera

The Story Of The Opera

The action takes place in Boston near the close of the 17th century.

ACT I, Scene 1: A reception Hall in the Governor's Palace
Riccardo, Count of Warwick and Governor of Boston, has fallen in love with Amelia, the beautiful wife of
Renato, his secretary. When the opera opens, the Count is discussing the list of guests to be invited to
a grand masked ball and is very pleased to see Amelia's name among them. Renato, unsuspecting,
warns his master that a conspiracy is afoot, but Riccardo is too full of thoughts of meeting Amelia at
the ball to be much disturbed. They are interrupted by the arrival of a Judge who
asks for a degree of banishment against Ulrica, a sorceress, whom he considers a disgrace and a
menace to the town. Riccardo is loath to banish one of his subjects, and Oscar, the romantic young page,
who believes implicitly in the sorceress' predictions, adds his entreaties. The result is a reprieve for Ulrica
and a decision by the Count that he and his friends, in disguise, shall pay a surprise visit to her dwelling
and draw their own conclusions from what she tells them. Samuel and Tom, the leaders of an anti Riccardo
faction, see in this proposed excursion a possibility of furthering their plans for revenge.

Scene 2: Ulrica's Dwelling
The Caunt and his friends appear at Ulrica's dwelling. The large crowd of citizens already there is in a
state of considerable excitement, for the sorceress is expecting an immediate call from her good friend
the Devil Silvano, a sailor in the Count's service, pushes his way through the crowd and asks Ulrica to
tell his fortune. "Be cheerful! Soon riches and rank will come to you," he is told. The disguised Riccardo
overhears this, turns aside, scribbles a note and, unseen by the others, slips it, together with a purse
of money, into Silvana's pocket. The simple sailor finds them almost at once and reads, "Riccardo, to
his dear friend and officer, Silvano." He is overwhelmed, and Ulrica's stock goes up with a bound. A
knock is heard at the secret door; a servant appears and tells Ulrica that his mistress wishes to consult
her. Ulrica thereupon bids the onlookers depart, and all do so except for Riccardo, who conceals himsell.
Amelia enters, consience-stricken and begging a potion that will efface from her memory the image
of Riccardo. Ulrica commands her to go to a lone and fateful spot were grows beneath the gallows an
herb. If she gathers this and drinks the juice, all will be well.

After Amelia has lelt, the onlookers return and call for a prophecy. Ulrica warns them not to play with
fire, but they are determined. Riccardo then orders her to read his hand. She does and shrinks from him
in horror, for her prophecy is that he will be slain by a sworn friend - the first to next grasp his hand. This
casts a gloom on the proceedings, and the Count, to show how little he believes her, calls on his
assembled friends to prove Ulrica wronq by taking his hand. They are all afraid. "Not one?" he cries,
but his consternation is cut short by the appearance of Renata, who rushes in and clasps his hand. What
better proof could be wanted. Riccardo is then recognized by the crowd and hailed in a chorus of
praise, through which are heard the mutterings of the conspirators.

ACT II
A Desolate Plain Near Boston
It is night, and Amelia has come in fear and trembling to seek the magic herb. She startled by the
appearance of a mysterious form, which resolves itself into Riccardo; he has followed her and now
declares his love, which is returned. They sing an impassioned duet. Scarcely have they finished when
another shadowy form appears. It is Renato, who has come to warn the Count that his enemies,
having learned he was coming to the heath, are on their way to kill him. Amelia is heavily veiled, and
Renato does not recognize her. Riccardo leaves only after Renato swears to escort the lady back to within
the city gates without lifting her veil. Finding Renato instead of the Count, Samuel, Tom and their
band demand to know who the veiled lady is. When Tom moves to lilt her veil, Renato attacks
him. In an attempt to interfere, Amelia lets her veil fall, and Renato sees his wife.

His shock quickly changes to anger, then to hatred of both Amelia and Riccardo as the full import of laughter
and mockery of the conspirators impresses itself on him. He makes a decision and asks Samual and
Tom to call upon him the next day. Then in a terrible voice, he bids Amelia follow him - he will carry out
his promise to conduct her safely to the city.

ACT III, Scene 1: The Library in Renato's House
Amelia pleads with her husband. He will not listen to her and insists that she must die. She asks to see
their young son, and Renato grants her wish. After she goes out, Samuel and Tom arrive. Renato conį
vinces them that he is sincere in wanting to join them in seeking the Caunt's death. Each wants to be
the chosen instrument, and so they decide to draw lots. They have placed the three names in a vase
when Amelia comes in to announce the Count's page bringing an invitation to the masked ball.
Renato, the violence of his anger somewhat abated, decides that he will not kill his wife, but that she
shall have a share in the death of her lover by being made to draw the lot. She does so, and Renata is
named. Oscar is then admitted and leaves the invitation, after which Renata and the other two conspirators 
rejoice at having been given the perfect opportunity to carry out their vengeance.

Scene 2: A Private Room in the Governor's Palace
The guests, among them the conspirators, are trying to discover identities. Renato is recognized by Oscar;
he retaliates by unmasking the page and accusing him of idling at the ball while his master is at
home. "The Count is here," Oscar retorts. "Where?" asks Renato. The page hesitates but finally reveals
the details of his master's disguise. Recognizing Amelia, the Count speaks to her; despite her repeated
warnings, he refuses to leave. He tells her he is sending her away, with her husband, and they are
about to bid a final farewell when Renato steps between them and stabs Riccardo. The guests rush
to attack the assassin, but they are restrained by the Count, who draws the order from his jacket and
gives it to Renato. The dying Riccardo then forgives Renata, who learns too late of his wife's innocence.

CD: Giuseppe Verdi (1813-1901) - Un ballo in maschera (Price, Bergonzi, Verrett, Merrill, Grist - Leinsdorf, RCA Italiana)
       YEAR: 1967

01. I.1.0 Prelude    [0:04:09.70]
02. I.1.1 Posa in pace    [0:05:26.10]
03. I.1.2 Libero e il varco a voi    [0:02:15.65]
04. I.1.3 Alla vita che t'arride    [0:02:34.40]
05. I.1.4 Il primo giudice    [0:01:27.02]
06. I.1.5 Volta la terrea fronte alle stelle    [0:02:01.40]
07. I.1.6 Signori, oggi d'Ulrica    [0:00:36.40]
08. I.1.7 Ogni cura si doni al diletto    [0:02:14.50]
09. I.2.0 Zitti! L'incanto non dessi turbare    [0:01:39.70]
10. I.2.1 Re dell'abisso affrettati    [0:04:11.53]
11. I.2.2 Su, fatemi largo    [0:01:49.52]
12. I.2.3 Si batte! Che veggo!    [0:02:53.63]
13. I.2.4 Della citta all'occaso    [0:03:57.32]
14. I.2.5 Su, profetessa, monta il treppie    [0:00:51.60]
15. I.2.6 Di' tu se fedele    [0:03:09.28]
16. I.2.7 Chi voi siate, l'audace parola    [0:02:33.45]
17. I.2.8 E scherzo, od e follia    [0:03:28.65]
18. I.2.9 Finisci il vaticinio    [0:02:38.72]
19. I.2.x Ma la sventura e cosa    [0:01:37.05]
20. II.1.0 Prelude    [0:02:16.08]
21. II.1.1 Ecco l'orrido campo    [0:01:29.20]
22. II.1.2 Ma dall'arido stelo divulsa    [0:05:29.60]
23. II.2.1 Teco io sto    [0:09:47.37]

CD: Giuseppe VERDI - Un Ballo In Maschera

01. ATTO 2: Ahime! S'appressa alcun!    [0:03:02.10]
02. Odi tu come fremono cupi    [0:02:09.17]
03. Seguitemi ... Mio Dio!    [0:02:30.68]
04. Ve', se di notte qui colla sposa    [0:05:05.17]
05. ATTO 3 Scena 1: A tal colpa e nulla il pianto    [0:02:15.55]
06. Morrņ, ma prima in grazia    [0:04:43.55]
07. Alzati! La, tuo figlio    [0:01:45.20]
08. Eri tu    [0:03:40.13]
09. Siam soli. Udite    [0:02:19.20]
10. Dunque l'onta di tutti sol una    [0:04:15.37]
11. Qual E Dunque L'eletto?    [0:01:09.03]
12. Il messaggio entri    [0:00:56.70]
13. Ah! di che fulgor    [0:03:13.05]
14. Scena 2: Forse la soglia attinse    [0:02:26.20]
15. Ma se m'e forza perderti    [0:02:47.35]
16. Ah! Dessa č lą    [0:01:20.67]
17. Scena 3: Fervono amori e danze    [0:00:39.70]
18. Altro de' nostri e questo    [0:01:28.05]
19. Saper vorreste    [0:01:44.58]
20. Fervono amori e danze    [0:00:25.65]
21. So che tu sai distinguere    [0:01:24.67]
22. Ah! perche qui! fuggite...    [0:04:27.65]
23. E tu ricevi il mio!    [0:00:38.23]
24. No, no, lasciatelo    [0:05:08.70]