Verdi’s Un Ballo in Maschera returns to the Met for the first time since 2015, with performances starting October 20

Company role debuts include tenor Charles Castronovo as King Gustavo III, soprano Angela Meade as Amelia, and baritone Quinn Kelsey as Count Anckarström

Soprano Liv Redpath makes her Met debut as the page Oscar

New York, NY (October 17, 2023)—Back on the Met stage for the first time since 2015, David Alden’s production of Verdi’s Un Ballo in Maschera returns on October 20. Italian maestro Carlo Rizzi leads a cast starring tenor Charles Castronovo and soprano Angela Meade, both making their Met role debuts as King Gustavo III and Amelia, respectively. This run also marks reigning Verdi baritone Quinn Kelsey’s company debut as Count Anckarström, following his critically acclaimed performances last season in the title role of Verdi’s Rigoletto. Soprano Liv Redpath makes her Met debut as the page Oscar, and mezzo-soprano Olesya Petrova rounds out the principal cast, returning to the Met following her performances as Amneris in last season’s production of Verdi’s Aida, to make her role Met debut as Ulrica.

Un Ballo in Maschera was originally commissioned in 1857 and was inspired by the true story of Swedish King Gustav III’s assassination. Alden’s production was first performed at the Met on November 8, 2012, and was hailed by the Associated Press as “an intriguing, fresh look at one of the essential works of the repertory.”  The creative team includes set designer Paul Steinberg, costume designer Brigitte Reiffenstuel, lighting designer Adam Silverman, and choreographer Maxine Braham.

Un Ballo in Maschera Worldwide Broadcasts on Radio and Online
The October 20, October 27, and November 8 performances of Un Ballo in Maschera will be broadcast live on Metropolitan Opera Radio on SiriusXM Channel 355. Audio from the October 20 and November 8 performances will also be streamed live on the Met’s website, metopera.org. Audio from a fall performance will be rebroadcast over The Robert K. Johnson Foundation–Metropolitan Opera International Radio Network on Saturday, February 17.

Fridays Under 40
The Met’s Fridays Under 40 series continues Friday, October 20, with a party ahead of the premiere performance of Un Ballo in Maschera. Available exclusively for operagoers 40 and under, the event features complimentary wine, themed activities, and more. For this performance, the Met is partnering with Harridan Vodka, a female-owned company, who will make a custom cocktail for the event. For further details, please click here.

For More Information
For further details on Un Ballo in Maschera, please click here.