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A Masked Ball
(Friday performance)
| The spring production for Preston Opera was Verdi's A Masked Ball. The action was updated to the 1960s period in the USA. For the Wednesday and Friday performances the part of Riccardo (President) was taken by Richard Belshaw, Renato (Chief of Staff) by Barrie Wright, Amelia by Marie'Louise Lane, Ulrica by Heather Lupton, Oscar by Sarah Doogan, Silvano by Ken Lewis, Sam (Vice President) by Chris Elliott, Tom (Head of F.B.I.) by Geoff Hitchen, Chief Justice by John Phipps ans the Servant by Les Gilligan. The conductor was Dr. Colin Beeson and the show was produced by Brian Smith-Walters and Janet Fischer. |
The daily tour group arrives in the White house ballroom
Riccardo notices that the name of the woman he loves, Amelia, is on the list of those invited to the ball. Unfortunately she is the wife of Renato the chief of staff
Renato warns the president of a plot to kill him
The chief justice arrives and declares he wants the "witch" Ulrica to be banished. Oscar, the president's PA pleads her case
Ulrica begins her rituals in the tunnels beneath the White House
A disaffected but loyal sailor, Silvano enters and Ilrica "reads " his palm. She predicts prosperity. Riccardo overhears and places a commission and money in his pocket All are amazed!.
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Riccardo demands a similar reading...but she predicts he will soon die. And he will die by the first person to shake his hand! |
This of couse turns out to be Renato...his best friend.
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Amelia
is desperate to rid herself of the love she feels for Riccardo. Ulrica
advises she pick at midnight a herb that grows in the tunnels |
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Riccardo meets her there and they declare their love for each other
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The dramatic moment when Amelia is discovered by her husband also in the presence of the conspiritors |
| Renato is shocked at his wife's apparent affaire with the president and determines to join the conspiritors: the Vice President and the head of the FBI |  |
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Amelia suffers some rough justice by her husband who threatens to kill her. She pleads for an opportunity to see her only son |
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Renato remembers the good times of their marriage but rejects mercy and forgiveness and sets himself for revenge. |
| Renato forces Amelia to choose by lots the one who is to kill Riccardo. It is Renato! |
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Before
the ball Riccardo decides to send both Renato and his wife to England..
Thus avoiding temptation and upholding Renato's honour. |
| Riccardo dreams of one last meeting with Amelia |
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Amelai
finds Riccardo at the masked ball and warns him of the conspiracy. The
say with some dramatic irony "their very last farewells" |
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Renato
enters and skillfully inserts the knife into Riccardo. Riccardo has
enough breath in his body to announce his decision to send both to
England and also to forgive everyone. He declares Amelia to be innocent |
| Renato realises his error and all are horrified as Riccardo dies. |
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