A Tale of Passion and Betrayal: Verdi's ‘Un Ballo in Maschera’ on WHRO FM 90.3

This Saturday at 1:00 p.m., tune in to WHRO FM 90.3 for a thrilling broadcast of Giuseppe Verdi's “Un Ballo in Maschera” (A Masked Ball), brought to you by the WFMT Radio Network Opera Series. This performance, recorded at the National Centre for the Performing Arts Opera House, features Marius Manea in the role of King Gustav III, with Karine Babajanyan as Amelia and Lado Ataneli as Renato. LÜ Jia leads this intense and dramatic interpretation of Verdi’s masterpiece.

“Un Ballo in Maschera” is a gripping opera that blends themes of jealousy, revenge, love, and death, all set against the backdrop of a historical event: the assassination of King Gustav III of Sweden. In this complex tale, King Gustav is infatuated with the beautiful Amelia, the wife of his trusted advisor Renato. The King’s dangerous obsession and Amelia’s forbidden love culminate in a deadly betrayal, as her husband joins a conspiracy to end the King’s life.

One of the opera's most emotionally charged moments is the duet "Teco io sto," where Gustav and Amelia express their forbidden love. Verdi’s music, with its blend of passion and tragedy, captures the intensity of their feelings, making this scene a standout in an already powerful work.

Join us on WHRO FM 90.3, or online, for an unforgettable performance of “Un Ballo in Maschera,” where Verdi’s genius and the exceptional cast from the NCPA promise to deliver a captivating opera experience.

Please Note: the Chinese family name comes first and is in uppercase. The first name is in sentence case and comes second in the listings above.