(A Masked Ball)
Verdi's opera in three acts conducted by Claudio Abbado Produced by OTTO SCHENK Designed by JURUEN ROSE
A new production recorded recently at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden
Beneath the dignified surface of the court of King Gustavus III of Sweden there's a seething world of private passion and political intrigue. The King's involvement with his secretary's wife is to seal his fate at the masked ball.
In order of appearance: Conspirators:
ROYAL OPERA CHORUS chorus-master ROBIN STAPLETON The children are from Edith Cavell School trained by JEAN POVEY ORCHESTRA OF THE
ROYAL OPERA HOUSE leader MEYER STOLOW
Libretto by ANTONIO SOMMA sung in Italian
Robin Ray introduces the opera English subtitles GILLIAN WIDDICOMBE
Presented for television by JOHN VERNON The action takes place in Stockholm in 1792. Act 1: Scene 1: An audience chamber in the royal palace. Scene 2: Ulrica's dwelling
Act 2: A gallows-field beyond the city at midnight
Two-minute interval
10.35* Act 3: Scene 1: Renato's study later that morning. Scene 2: An antechamber at the Royal Opera House. Scene 3: The Masked Ball