Mascheraology

Un Ballo in Maschera

ALTERNATE VERSION: Verdi brought in a new librettist for Un Ballo in Maschera, one with little experience. The two began work on the opera, and submitted a rough copy to the Neapolitan censors, who demanded immense changes. Riccardo, who was originally a King, was to be changed to a duke, the setting must be moved to anywhere north other than Sweden or Norway, the opera must be set in a time when witchcraft was believed in and actively persecuted, and Riccardo must die, feeling remorse and guilt. So great were the changes inflicted upon the libretto, that Somma, in an act of protest refused to allow his name on the printed score. Finally, refusing further changes, Verdi changed the location of the first performance from Naples to Rome, where less difficulty was encountered.
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Un ballo in maschera, or A Masked Ball, is an opera in three acts by Giuseppe Verdi with text by Antonio Somma. It is based on the libretto Gustave III by Eugčne Scribe (originally set by Daniel Auber), who was inspired by events surrounding the assassination of King Gustav III of Sweden at a masquerade ball in 1792. The opera's first production was at the Teatro Apollo, Rome, February 17, 1859.

Un ballo in maschera ended up being one of Verdi's most controversial operas. During composition, the censors required extensive changes, eventually demanding more alterations than Verdi was willing to make. Therefore, he broke his contract and was sued by the theater, which he then counter-sued for libel. Eventually, the legal fight ended with withdrawal of the theater's charges and Verdi promising to finish the work. However, prior to its premier in Rome, the scene was forced to change from Stockholm to Boston, Massachusetts and King Gustave became the Count of Warwick./ Source