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Un ballo in maschera facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

Un ballo in maschera (which means A Masked Ball) is an Italian opera with three acts. An opera is like a play where most of the words are sung. The music for this opera was created by Giuseppe Verdi. The story, called the libretto, was written by Antonio Somma. It is based on an older play by Eugène Scribe called Gustave III ou Le Bal Masqué.

This opera was first shown to the public at the Teatro Appollo in Rome on February 17, 1859. It is one of Verdi's most famous works from the middle part of his career. The story is about the real-life event where King Gustav III of Sweden was killed. However, because of strict rules from the government at the time (called censorship), the story had to be changed. It was moved to Boston in the 1600s, and King Gustav became an English governor named Richard of Warwick. Today, most performances of the opera show the story in its original Swedish setting.

Meet the Main Characters

Here are the most important characters in Un ballo in maschera:

  • Gustavo/Riccardo: He is the King of Sweden (or Governor of Boston). He is in love with Amelia. He is sung by a tenor (a high male voice).
  • Amelia: She is a lady at the court and is married to Renato. She is sung by a soprano (a high female voice).
  • Renato: He is a courtier (someone who works for the king) and Amelia's husband. He is sung by a baritone (a middle male voice).
  • Ulrica: She is a fortune teller, someone who claims to see the future. She is sung by a mezzo-soprano (a middle female voice).
  • Oscar: He is a young page (a servant) to the king. He is sung by a soprano.
  • Samuel: He is one of the people planning against the king. He is sung by a bass (a low male voice).
  • Tom: He is another person planning against the king. He is sung by a bass.
  • Silvano: He is also involved in the plans against the king. He is sung by a baritone.

Images for kids

  • Verdi and Naples censor-caricature by Delfico

    Verdi and the Naples censor when preparing "Ballo", 1857–58, caricature by Delfico

  • Verdi in 1859

    Verdi in 1859

  • Gaetano Fraschini

    Tenor Gaetano Fraschini, the first Riccardo

  • Antonio Somma-librettist

    Antonio Somma, the librettist of the opera

  • Leone Giraldoni ca 1865

    Baritone Leone Giraldoni, the first Renato (c. 1865)

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Un baile de máscaras para niños

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