Passion, betrayal, and deadly intrigue: with Giuseppe Verdi's opera "Un ballo in maschera," the Semperoper Dresden brings a major work from the Italian repertoire to the stage. At its heart is a friendship that is put to the test between loyalty, love, and political conspiracy.
Giuseppe Verdi's opera "Un ballo in maschera" – "A Masked Ball" – is one of the most impressive musical dramas in the Italian repertoire. The work tells the story of a ruler whose life is overshadowed by political intrigue and personal conflicts. At the center is Riccardo, a charismatic leader who is secretly in love with Amelia – the wife of his closest confidant, Renato.
While a conspiracy against Riccardo is forming in the background, friendship, loyalty, and personal feelings increasingly come into conflict. A mysterious prophecy finally announces the death of the ruler—but Riccardo ignores the warning. In the end, everything leads up to a festive masked ball, where not only identities are hidden behind the masks, but also betrayal, revenge, and tragic decisions.
Verdi's opera, which premiered in 1859, combines grand arias, impressive choral scenes, and dramatic ensembles to create a thrilling evening of musical theater. At the Semperoper Dresden, this results in a production full of emotional intensity, in which power, passion, and human weakness clash inexorably.
Premiere October 4
Further performances: October 7, 10, 17, and 21, 2026; May 5, 8, 15, and 21, 2027
