Part of the Halloween series
I
have been looking for a suitable piece featuring a witch and came up
with this. The synopsis of this opera is taken from the web site below
and the video clip was found on youtube.
Opera Un Ballo in Maschera (A Masked Ball) Synopsis
Opera in three acts
by Giuseppe Verdi
by Giuseppe Verdi
First performed
February 17, 1859
Rome
February 17, 1859
Rome
Act I
A hall inside the Louisiana Governor's mansion
Riccardo,
Governor of Louisiana, is giving an audience to officials. Among those
present are Samuel and Tom, who are plotting to kill him. Riccardo
receives a list of those invited to the next grand masked ball. He is
overjoyed to see the name of his beloved Amelia, wife of his faithful
secretary Renato, on the guest list. Renato warns Riccardo that there
are those who plot his downfall. A judge arrives with an order for the
expulsion of the black woman Ulrica, who is accused of witchcraft. Oscar, the page, defends her so Riccardo, who would like to know the truth, goes to visit her in disguise.
When
they arrive at the witch's hovel, Ulrica is predicting honour and
riches to a young sailor named Silvano. Riccardo fulfills the prophecy
by slipping a note into Silvano's pocketthus proving the witches guilt. A
servant tells Ulrica quietly that Amelia is on her way and Ulrica asks
everyone to leave so that she can welcome the girl alone. Amelia asks
for a cure for the love she has for Riccardo. Ulrica says she could make
such a potion from a herb that grows in a graveyard near a local
gallows, but that it must be picked at midnight. Riccardo has overheard
and swears that Amelia will not go alone to the graveyard and he will
use the opportunity to tell her of his love.
Riccardo
approaches Ulrica as a mariner in search of his fortune. Ulrica
predicts that he will be murdered by the next person who takes his hand.
Riccardo makes light of the prophesy, offering to shake everyone's
hand, which the crowd declines. Renato bursts in and shakes Riccardo's
hand, unaware of the prophesy. All join in a chorus proclaiming the
mysteries of fate.
act II
Near the gallows, midnight
Amelia,
heavily veiled, has come to the graveyard near the scaffold where the
herb grows. Riccardo finds her and they declare their mutual love and
sadness. Renato, aware that the conspirators are on Riccardo's trail,
suddenly appears and tells Riccardo that the conspirators are nearby,
waiting to murder him. Riccardo refuses to escape, but eventually
consents provided that Renato give protection to the veiled lady
(Amelia) without making any attempt to learn her identity. Renato and
the veiled Amelia leave. The conspirators happen upon Renato and Amelia
on the road and, during the exchange, tear the veil off Amelia. Renato,
in despair and anger at Riccardo's betrayal, makes an appointment to
meet with the conspirators the next day at his home.
Act III
Scene 1
A room at the home of Renato and Amelia
In
a terrible fury, Renato bids Amelia to prepare for death. Swearing that
she is innocent, she begs to kiss their little son farewell. Renato
yields to his wife's pleas and reserves all of his anger for Riccardo.
The conspirators arrive and they draw lots to decide who will kill
Riccardo. Amelia picks the fatal paper on which Renato's name is
written. Oscar arrives, bringing the invitation to the ball.
Scene 2
The governor's mansion
Riccardo
has decided to send Renato and Amelia on a foreign mission. Amelia
enters and tries to convince him of the danger in store for him at the
ball. Riccardo is determined to attend the ball anyway. Meanwhile,
Renato discovers from Oscar what costume Riccardo will be wearing.
Riccardo and Amelia sing a farewell duet and Renato kills Riccardo
during the ball. Amelia tells Renato that their love was never
consummated and that Riccardo had promoted him and commissioned him to England. With his last breath, Riccardo pardons Renato and dies.
Mariana Pentcheva - Un Ballo in Maschera - Witch's Scene
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JHXHpSocXuU&feature=player_embedded
starfishred wrote on Oct 29, '08
You
did a wonderful job loretta I have sen this in Venice at La fenice and
saw it in Verona and loved it and you my friend did a wonderful job
thanks again for all the work.
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greenwytch wrote on Oct 29, '08
WOW! magnificent, my dear!
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