A MASKED BALL - GIUSEPPE VERDI

 

Opera in three acts by Giuseppe Verdi, about the assassination of the king Gustavo III of Sweden, who died as a result of a political conspiracy, shot while attending a masked ball, he died because of this wound 13 days later.

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Act 1

         

Riccardo, the Count of Warwick reviews the list of guests who will attend the next masquerade ball. He is elated to see the list the woman's name he loves - Amelia, the wife of his friend and advisor, Renato. When Renato arrives, he tries to warn Riccardo about the growing conspiracy against him, but he refuses to listen. The Count receives a complaint against a psychic named Ulrica, accused of witchcraft. A magistrate asks her banishment. Riccardo decides to investigate for himself. Ulrica invokes her magical powers. Disguised as a fisherman, Riccardo arrives at the house of the psychic. When he realizes that Amelia is coming to see Ulrica, he hides and watches. Alone with Ulrica, Amelia confesses that she is tormented by her love for Riccardo, and asks for a way to bring peace to her heart. Ulrica tells her to collect a certain herb with magical powers; Riccardo decide to be there when she will do it. Amelia comes out. And Riccardo presents himself again, along with all the courtiers, and asks read his fortune. Ulrica reveals to him he is going to be murdered by the next man will shake his hand. He rejects, laughing, the prophecy and offers his hand to the courtiers, And They refuse to touch it. Renato arrives and greets Riccardo, shaking Ricardo's hand, as told Ulrica

 

Act 2

         

Midnight, Amelia overcoming her fears, is going to seek the magical herb. She gets surprised by Riccardo, who came to meet him, and the two finally declare love. Unexpectedly, Renato arrives, and Amelia covers her face with her veil before he can recognize her. Renato explains that the conspirators are chasing him, and his life is in danger. Riccardo ignores, and asks Renato to escort the veiled woman safely back to town, without asking her identity. When the conspirators arrive, they struggle with Renato; in fighting, the veil falls. Renato assumes that Amelia and Riccardo are involved. It asks for a meeting with the two leaders of the conspiracy, Samuel and Tom, the next day

 

Act 3

         

Renato decides to kill Amelia for the dishonor. She claims to be innocent and asks to see her son for the last time. Renato accepts and declares that is Riccardo, .... not Amelia, who deserves to die. Samuel And Tom arrive, and Renato asks to join the plot, compromising his son's life as honesty test. They agree and cast lots to decide who will be the executor. Amelia is forced to get the winning name: Renato. Oscar, arrives with invitations to the masked ball; Samuel, Tom and Renato agree that this is where the murder will take place.

 

Torn between love and duty, Riccardo decides to renounce his love for Amelia and sending her with Renato back to England. At the ball, Renato and Oscar try to find out, What kind of costume Riccardo is wearing. Oscar at first refuses to say, but finally answers: a black robe and a red ribbon. Riccardo can identify Amelia and tells her of his decision. While says goodbye to her, Renato stabs him. Wounded, he reveals that although love her - Amelia, she never broke her marriage vows. He pardons all the conspirators, says goodbye to his friends and his country, then dies.