The Staatsoper unter den Linden has announced that Ludovic Tézier has withdrawn from Verdi’s “Un ballo in Maschera.” As a result, Amartuvshin Enkhbat will take over for Tézier for the March 29, April 1 and 4 performances in a new production by Rafael R. Villalobos. Enkhbat has performed the role at the San Francisco Opera and Teatro Regio di Parma. The {…}
The Teatro alla Scala has confirmed that the 2026-27 season will open with Verdi’s “Otello.” The production will be directed by Damiano Michieletto and will be conducted by Music Director Myung-Whun Chung. The opera will open on Dec. 7, 2026. The company also confirmed that the 2027-28 season will open with Verdi “Un ballo in maschera” under the direction of Chung. The {…}
The etymology of the Italian word “maschera” (and its English equivalent “mask”) is rather obscure. It’s derived from the Arabic word “maskara,” meaning buffoonery and/or harsh derision. Indeed, a closer look at “Un ballo in maschera” reveals a higher degree of caustic bite far beyond the final act’s famous masked ball. Amelia seeks help from the soothsayer Ulrica to rid {…}
(Credit: Benjamin Girette/OnP) The Opéra National de Paris is set to present “Un Ballo in Maschera” in cinemas on Feb. 8, 2026. The opera, which will be presented in a production by Gilbert Deflo, will star Anna Netrebko (Amelia), Matthew Polenzani (Riccardo), Ludovic Tézier (Renato), Sara Blanch (Oscar), and Elizabeth DeShong (Ulrica). Speranza Scapucci conducts. The opera will be shown {…}
Opéra National de Paris has announced cast change for its production of “Un Ballo in Maschera.” The company said that Igor Golovatenko has withdrawn from the production and will be replaced by Étienne Dupuis on Jan. 27, 30 and February 2, 2026. Dupuis made his Paris debut in 2009 and has since performed in productions of “Pelléas et Mélisande,” “Don {…}
(Photo Credit: © Herwig Prammer) The Edinburgh International Festival has previewed its 2026 slate. Among the major headlines of the four shows previewed is the Zürich Opera House’s production of Verdi’s “Un Ballo in Maschera.” Led by Gianandrea Noseda and directed by Adele Thomas, Verdi’s famed opera will feature two casts. Stephen Costello and Elena Stikhina will play the ill-fated {…}
(Credit: Luciano Romano) On Oct. 4, the Teatro San Carlo brought a new production of Verdi’s “Un Ballo in Maschera.” The evening was much anticipated as it featured the role debut of Anna Netrebko as Amelia, and reunited the famed soprano with baritone Ludovic Tézier, following an exceptional “La Gioconda” last year. While the two superstars lived up to their {…}
The Bayerische Staatsoper has announced a cast change for its production of “Un Ballo in Maschera.” The company said that Giorgio Berrugi will sing the role of Riccardo replacing an ill Charles Castronovo. For his part, Castronovo said, “Hi everyone, well I’m really sorry to say that I will not be able to sing the first performance of ‘un ballo {…}
The Bayerische Staatsoper has announced a cast change for its production of Verdi’s “Un Ballo in Maschera.” The company said, “In the performances of ‘Un ballo in maschera’ on January 26th and 29th and on February 1st, 5th and 8th, 2025, Ludovic Tézier will take on the role of Renato instead of Igor Golovatenko.” The news comes a few days {…}
(Photo by : Herwig Prammer) In 1857, when the Teatro San Carlo in Naples commissioned a new opera from Giuseppe Verdi, he selected a libretto by Antonio Somma, inspired by the real-life assassination of King Gustav III of Sweden. The king was shot in 1792 by political opponents during a masked ball at the Stockholm Opera. Somma added a romantic {…}
The Royal Opera House Muscat is set to open its 2024-25 season with Verdi’s “Un Ballo in Maschera.” The opera will be performed on Oct. 3 and 5, 2024, and will showcase a stellar cast including Piotr Beczała and Elena Stikhina. They will be joined by LIAO Chaoyong and Agnieszka Rehlis. Hugo de Ana will showcase his production with the {…}
