Un ballo in maschera

King Gustav loves Amelia, the wife of his best friend. When he finds out, he joins a circle of conspirators who have been plotting the monarch's death for some time and kills the king.

Too late, he realizes that his wife has ultimately remained faithful to him ..

“No other tragic Verdi opera has as much lightness, verve and grace, as much esprit as Un ballo in maschera. The (apparent) cheerfulness is a new dimension in Verdi's operas, announced in the first act of Rigoletto. But tragedy, melancholy and closeness to death always resonate and are thus intensified. This juxtaposition and coexistence, the synchronicity of dance and death in the plot and music is what makes the special and unmistakable tinta (musical color) of Un ballo in maschera.“ (Georg Titscher)

The opera is based on a true story: in 1792, the Swedish King Gustav III was murdered during a masked ball. As in the opera, the assassin was the nobleman Anckarström, who approached the king in disguise. Unlike in the opera, the reason for the murder was not jealousy, but a political background: Anckarström felt that the king had curtailed his traditional rights and sympathized with the French Revolution. Giuseppe Verdi developed one of the central operas of the Italian repertoire very freely from this historical event.

program

Un ballo in maschera
Melodramma in drei Akten
Text Antonio Somma
nach Eugène Scribe
Sprache Italienisch

Place

Vienna State Opera – World-Renowned Stage for Opera and Ballet in the Heart of Vienna

The Vienna State Opera is one of the world's leading opera houses and a cultural landmark of Austria. Located prominently in the heart of Vienna, along the famous Ringstrasse, it offers outstanding opera productions featuring international stars and a renowned ballet ensemble.

Since its grand opening in 1869, the Vienna State Opera has been synonymous with musical excellence, artistic perfection, and an extensive repertoire ranging from operatic classics to contemporary works. Each season, it stages more than 300 performances, including world-famous operas such as Mozart’s "The Magic Flute", Verdi’s "La Traviata", and Puccini’s "Tosca".

Alongside its acclaimed opera productions, the Vienna State Opera is also home to the celebrated Vienna State Ballet, renowned for both classical and contemporary dance performances. The annual Vienna Opera Ball is a prestigious social event with international prominence.

Getting There by Public Transport

Subway:

• Lines U1, U2, U4 – Karlsplatz station, direct access

Tram:

• Lines 1, 2, D, 62, 71 – Oper/Karlsplatz stop

Bus:

• Line 59A – Oper stop

Its central location on Vienna’s Ringstrasse ensures convenient and easy access.

Vienna State Opera – A Symbol of Viennese Culture and Musical Excellence

As one of the world's premier opera houses, the Vienna State Opera is an essential destination for opera enthusiasts, music lovers, and visitors seeking to experience the cultural heart of Vienna.