Synopsis English «Un ballo in maschera»

19.4.2011

9:00 Uhr

Seite 1

Deutsche Bank Gesellschaftliche Verantwortung

Un ballo in maschera

PH_Ballo in maschera_US:PH Un ballo

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Con passione

Wir wünschen Ihnen einen inspirierenden Abend mit „Un ballo in maschera“ am Opernhaus Zürich. www.deutsche-bank.de/csr

opernhaus zürich Spielzeit 2010/11

Musik ist grenzenlos. Sie berührt Menschen jeder Herkunft und aller Altersstufen. Die Auseinandersetzung mit Musik fordert heraus und eröffnet neue Perspektiven. Deshalb ermuntern wir Kinder und Jugendliche, klassische Musik für sich zu entdecken, ermöglichen jungen Talenten durch gezielte Förderung wichtige künstlerische Impulse und sind Partner herausragender Orchester.

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Act One Count Horn, Count Ribbing and their followers are conspiring against King Gustav III. Oscar, a page, brings the king the guest list for a coming masked ball. On the list is Amelia, with whom Gustav is in love. Amelia’s husband, Renato Count Anckarstroem, is entirely unaware of the king’s affections for his wife. As his first minister and friend, Renato warns Gustav of the threat of a conspiracy. But Gustav is unconcerned.

The chief justice demands that Ulrica Arvidson, a fortune teller, be banished from the land.When Oscar defends her, the king – a notorious theatre-lover – decides to seek her out in disguise, together with his court. The conspirators see their chance.

Ulrica’s show attracts a host of curious onlookers. Gustav and Oscar watch as Christian, a sailor, asks Ulrica what his future has in store. When she tells him that he will soon be promoted, the king stealthily slips a document into Christian’s pocket to make the prediction come true. One of Amelia’s servants then asks Ulrica to hold a private audience with her mistress. Gustav eavesdrops on the meeting, and hears Ulrica tell Amelia that the remedy which will release her from her forbidden love of the king is a herb that grows underneath the gallows – one that she must pick herself by night if it is to have the desired effect. Gustav resolves to follow her there. When the courtiers arrive – all in disguise – Gustav asks Ulrica to foretell his future, too. Ulrica tells the king that he will be murdered by the next man whose hand he shakes. Nobody wishes to do so.

But when Renato arrives on the scene, the king firmly grasps his hand. Gustav laughs at the prophecy, and reveals his true identity. Christian leads the assembled throng in paying homage to the king. The conspirators conclude with regret that their murder plans have been thwarted – for the present, at least.

Act Two Amelia arrives at the gallows outside the town walls to pick the magic herb. When she gets there, she is confronted by Gustav, who coaxes her to confess her love. The couple are then surprised by Renato: he has followed the king to save himfromthe conspirators, who are lying inwait. Renato trades cloakswith the king. Gustav entrusts the nowveiled Amelia to Renato’s care but, before he flees, makes Renato swear that he will not attempt to find out the mysterious woman’s identity.

When the conspirators realise that it is Renato they have in their midst and not Gustav, they want at least to know who the woman accompanying him is. Renato defends Amelia’s anonymity; but when his life appears to be threatened, she reveals her identity herself.

The conspirators mock Renato mercilessly. He, for his part, asks Horn and Ribbing to come to his house the next day. Then he escorts Amelia back to town, as he has promised to do.

Act Three Renato wants to kill his unfaithful wife Amelia. When she begs him to let her see their son one last time, he relents, and resolves to take his revenge on Gustav instead. When Horn and Ribbing arrive, Renato tells them that he wishes to join the conspiracy. The group decide to draw lots to determine who should murder the king: Renato it will be.

Oscar enters with an invitation to the masked ball. This time, the conspirators intend to seize their opportunity.

Gustav decides to resolve the situation by sending Renato with Amelia on a mission abroad.

Oscar enters with a letter froman unknown female hand, warning the king that an attempt will be made on his life in the course of the masked ball. Gustav ignores the warning and goes to the ball with Oscar.

At the ball, Renato learns from Oscar what mask the king is wearing. Amelia tries again to warn Gustav of the danger. In response, he tells her that she will be leaving the country with her husband. As Gustav and Amelia are saying their final farewells, Renato strikes. Gustav, in his dying words, confirms Amelia’s innocence and forgives everyone.

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