Reviving 5000 years of civilization
(top and bottom) Scenes from the Berlin Staatsoper production of Un ballo in maschera, 2008. Photos: Ruth Walz
COMING THIS WINTER VERDI’S UN BALLO IN MASCHERA
ALL-NEW 2014 SHOW WITH LIVE ORCHESTRA
BY GIANNA WICHELOW
T
his winter, the Canadian Opera Company presents Giuseppe Verdi’s Un ballo in maschera (A Masked Ball), a deeply human tale of forbidden passion and adult love, whose lovers are also embroiled in a politically charged situation beyond their control.
The Plot in a Minute Riccardo is a respected governor, secretly in love with Amelia, the wife of his secretary, Renato. Riccardo is also the object of a planned assassination by a small group of disgruntled conspirators. He and Amelia are plagued by guilt for their feelings and resist consummating their growing love. However, Renato discovers their hidden passion and joins with the conspirators to bring his rival down at the governor’s ball.
Verdi, Assassinations, Censors Verdi had enjoyed huge success with his three previous operas, Rigoletto, La Traviata, and Il Trovatore. He arrived in Naples on January 15, 1858, to start rehearsals for Un ballo in maschera, an opera inspired by the actual assassination of King Gustav of Sweden. However, on the same day, an assassin attempted to kill
Sold-Out Shows Across North America Let Shen Yun take you on a journey where the wisdom of ancient China, the world’s finest classical Chinese dancers, gorgeous handcrafted costumes, and towering animated backdrops come together in one spectacular performance. “It’s so inspiring, I may have found new ideas for the next Avatar movie.” —Robert Stromberg, Academy Award-winning production designer
JAN 23-26
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i Toronto . Hamilton . Mississauga . Kitchener . Ottawa . Quebec City . Montreal . Vancouver 28
Canadian Opera Company 2013/2014 Season