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Opernhaus Zürich

Orchestra

The Orchester der Oper Zürich

Conductor

Conductor (+2)

Gianandrea Noseda

Stage director

Adele Thomas

Choreographer

Stage director (+1)

Emma Woods

Set designer

Set designer (+2)

Hannah Clark

Lighting designer

Lighting designer (+3)

Franck Evin

Video

Tieni Burkhalter

Chorusmaster

Conductor (+14)

Janko Kastelic

Tenor (+3)

Charles Castronovo

Richard

Baritone

George Petean

Renato

Soprano

Erika Grimaldi

Amelia

Mezzo-soprano (+4)

Agnieszka Rehlis

Ulrica

Soprano (+2)

Katharina Konradi

Oscar

Bass (+4)

Brent Michael Smith

Samuel

Stanislav Vorobyov

Tenor (+5)

Martin Zysset

A judge

Tenor (+1)

Álvaro Diana Sanchez

A servant of Amelia

Opernhaus

Chorus

Zurich Opera Chorus

Baritone (+2)

Steffan Lloyd Owen

Silvano

Extras

Opernhaus Zürich Extras

Dramaturge

Fabio Dietsche

You will die! A friend will kill you.» – The scene with the fortune teller Ulrica, who prophesies that Count Riccardo will soon meet his end, is just one of many effective scenes in Verdi’s opera Un ballo in maschera. Riccardo doesn’t believe Ulrica, and laughs – but a short while later he is murdered by his best friend Renato during a masked ball. Comedy and horror are also closely linked musically in this score from Verdi’s middle creative phase. The story of an idle, politically weak ruler who is killed at a masked ball is based on the historical case of Gustav III of Sweden. However, Verdi was less interested in historical details than in the effective dramaturgy offered by the triangular constellation between Riccardo, his best friend Renato and his wife Amelia. The emotional drama that takes place in the middle act between Riccardo and his friend's wife is one of the most sensual love scenes Verdi ever wrote – and leads to the fiercest jealousy from Renato, who then joins a gang of conspirators. Verdi wanted to stage his new opera – originally with King Gustav as the title figure – in Naples, but the subject matter was targeted by censors. Showing a regicide on stage was simply impossible in the politically turbulent Italy of the 19th century. In the end, the opera was staged in Rome in 1859, in a historically altered setting. General Music Director Gianandrea Noseda and stage director Adele Thomas devote themselves to Verdi’s score of contrasts, which oscillates between masquerade frivolity and deeply felt melodrama. Tenor Charles Castronovo, who has already sung this role at the New York Met, is Riccardo. Italian soprano Erika Grimaldi makes her debut as Amelia.

Un ballo in maschera (A Masked Ball), Verdi

Cast

Riccardo / Gustavo

Renato / Count Anckarström

Amelia

Ulrica / Madame Arvidson

Oscar/Otto

Samuel / Count Ribbing /Graf Warting

Tom / Count Horn

Un Giudice

Un Servo d'Amelia

Silvano / Cristiano

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