Un ballo in maschera at Opéra Bastille
Verdi’s opera Un ballo in maschera was inspired by a real historical event: the assassination of King Gustav III of Sweden during a costume ball in 1792. Verdi had a run-in with the censors, who were scandalised by the idea of depicting regicide on stage.
His masked ball is set in America and focuses on the impossible love between Riccardo, the governor of Boston, sung by Matthew Polenzani, and Amelia, the wife of his best friend, portrayed by Anna Netrebko and Angela Meade, who takes revenge by killing him. At the Opéra Bastille, director Gilbert Deflo retains the American context and moves it in time to the Lincoln era.
The performances will take place from January 27 until February 26 and will feature Étienne Dupuis, Ludovic Tézier and Ariunbaatar Ganbaatar as Renato; Sara Blanch as Oscar; Elizabeth DeShong as Ulrica; Christian Rodrigue Moungoungou as Samuel; Blake Denson as Tom; and Andres Cascante as Silvano. Speranza Scappucci conducts.