Giuseppe Verdi - Un Ballo in Maschera | Passion, Loyalty, and Conspiracy

UPC: 809478010173

Product Features

• Language: Sung in Italian, with subtitles in English, French, German, Spanish, and Italian.
• Director: Mario Martone
• Conductor: Jesús López Cobos
• Chorus/Orchestra: Madrid Symphony Orchestra and Chorus
• Main Cast:Run Time: Approximately 188 minutes
  • Riccardo: Marcelo Álvarez
  • Amelia: Violeta Urmana
  • Renato: Marco Vratogna
  • Ulrica: Elena Zaremba
• Format: DVD, NTSC
• Region Code: All regions
• Publisher: Opus Arte

Overview

Giuseppe Verdi's Un Ballo in Maschera is a gripping tale of love, betrayal, and political intrigue, set against the backdrop of 19th-century Boston. This production by Mario Martone at the Teatro Real in Madrid captures the full intensity of Verdi's masterpiece, combining grandeur with deep emotional drama. Argentine tenor Marcelo Álvarez shines in the role of Riccardo, a man torn between his duty as governor and his forbidden love for Amelia, performed by the brilliant Violeta Urmana. Supporting them is a stellar cast, including Marco Vratogna as the betrayed Renato and Elena Zaremba as the enigmatic fortune-teller Ulrica.

Jesús López Cobos leads the Madrid Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, emphasizing Verdi’s masterful blending of grand opera with more intimate moments, creating a dynamic performance that is both lyrically beautiful and dramatically powerful. The set design by Sergio Tramonti and costumes by Bruno Schwengl further enhance the atmosphere of this timeless opera.

Interesting Facts

• Un Ballo in Maschera is based on the real-life assassination of King Gustav III of Sweden during a masked ball, although Verdi relocated the action to 19th-century Boston due to political censorship.
• The opera's themes of passion, loyalty, and conspiracy reflect Verdi's own life experiences, particularly his awareness of political oppression in Italy during his time.
• Marcelo Álvarez, one of the world’s leading tenors, delivers a powerhouse performance in this production, which was co-produced by Teatro Real and the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden.
• Violeta Urmana, known for her dramatic soprano roles, brings emotional depth and intensity to the role of Amelia, Riccardo's ill-fated lover.
• This production emphasizes the balance between Verdi's grand operatic style and moments of opera comique, reflecting the opera’s unique blend of dramatic and lighter elements.

Track Listing (Selected)

Act I – A Conspiracy Forms

1. Riccardo's Aria
2. Amelia’s Confession

Act III – The Masked Ball

1. Final Duet: Riccardo and Amelia
2. The Confrontation

Publishers

• Opus Arte, Teatro Real, in collaboration with the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden.

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