Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1919-10-19
debut OF OPERA,
MASKED BALL. IN
ROME IN 1858
Scenes Laid In Boston,
Changed From Stockholm,
Beautifully Staged-Con-
tains Thrills for Hearers.

1.-THE Masked Bali" better known
to opera-goers as "Ballo IN Mas
chera," has long beeen one Of the
most popular of Verdis earlier
works. and from the time OF its
first production at the Theater Ap-
ollo, in Rome, February II, 1889.
IL years before the debut of Aida"
it has never ceased to be the desire
of every great soprano. tenor and
baritone to win favor in this opera.
1t was produced in Paris, London
and New York, all the same year,
1861, and the very fact that its
action takes place in the city OF
Boston caused it to be of unusual
interest when first presented here.
It is an opera filled with many beau
tiful arias, both of lyric and dra-
matte quality, thus giving every
member in the cast chance to dis
play his or her vocal powers to their
best advantage.
Created Near Riot.
With Destinn in the role of
Amelia, and Bonci as the gay and
dashing young Richard, count of
Warwick and governor of Boston,
the two leading roles are in the
hands OF two of the greatest artists
of the present generation. The OPP
era is in three acts, each filled with
intense dramatic scenes, which give
the audience no time to think of
anything but what is to follow.
The opera was composed for the
San Carlos, Naples, and its first
title was "Gustavo III" (after an
assassinated Italian monarchy. Soon
as the people heard of the plot, it
came near creating riot in Naples,
and Verdi, not wanting to take
chances of becoming unpopular with
his countrymen, changed its name to
"Ballo in Maschera.' The scenes
were transferred from Stockholm
to Boston. He also took the pro-
duction to Rome for its premier.
While the work is characterized
product of the Older school. many
of its arias, such as Fri tn, Moro
ma prima in grazia, Saper vorreste,
Mo dallarida STEELE divulsa, and sew
eral of the grouped numbers. show
Verdi at his very best. In fact, It
is said that in "The Masked Ball"
he has written some music that has
even surpassed his "Aida" and
"Otello."
The scenes of the story take place
in Boston, where Richard, the gov
ernor, falls in love with Amelia, the
beautiful wife of his secretary,
Remnant. She returns Richards
love, but her conscience troubles her
to the extent that she consuits IT,
RIGA, a negro astrologer, hoping to
secure a drug that will cause her
to forget Richard.
On her way to the sorceress.
Richard follows Amelia and learns
the secret. Reinhard comes in
search of Richard to warn him of
plot to assassinate him, and Rich
ard, before making his escape, re-
quests that the secretary escort the
lady, heavily yelled, home, but not
to attempt to find out who she is.
On the way home they are sur
rounded by the conspirators and
Amelia is revealed. Richard swears
vengeance and joins the band. AT
the masked ball Richard is stabbed
by Reinhart, but the dying man de-
clares Amelia to be innocent of any
wrong doing, as we'll as forgives
Reinhart.
The opera is beautifully staged
every setting showing completeness
in every detail. 1t should prove a
wonderful spectacle for the eye, as
we'll as enhancing an dthrilling for
the ear. The plot never lags, and
with Destinn, Bonci, Rimini and
others, it should prove a gala event