The opera

Political intrigue, illicit love and a baleful prophecy fuel Verdi’s opera, Un ballo in maschera (‘A Masked Ball’). Based on the story of Gustav III, the Swedish king who was murdered during a masked ball, this captivating opera sets a tense love triangle against the background of a murderous conspiracy. Vivid choral writing and glittering dance music provide counterpoint to an intimate portrait of three people whose conflicted loyalties are tested in private and public.

The production

Opera Holland Park’s acclaimed production, filmed live in June 2019 by Tall Wall Media, shifts the central drama of the opera from an imagined 18th century to the glamour and shadows of the 1940s.

The production was directed by Rodula Gaitanou and conducted by Matthew Kofi Waldren with the company’s resident orchestra, City of London Sinfonia in the pit. Cast includes French soprano Anne Sophie Duprels (Amelia), Italian tenor Matteo Lippi (Gustavo), British baritone George von Bergen (Anckarström), rising star and former OHP Young Artist Alison Langer (Oscar), and the distinguished mezzo-soprano Rosalind Plowright OBE (Madame Arvidson). The production was designed by takis.

Accessing the film online

Each rental of the film will offer 24 hours of access, during which time you can watch it as many times as you like. To access, please purchase a ticket using the ‘Book Now’ button above. When you are ready to watch the film, return to this page, select ‘log in to watch’ and log in using the same email address used to purchase the ticket. The film will become available at the top of this page. 

All income from paying viewers will be shared with all freelance creatives, cast and crew, including chorus, stage management, and the company’s resident orchestra, City of London Sinfonia.

The film was originally commissioned as part of Opera Holland Park’s award-winning Inspire project to address social isolation and reach an audience resident in hospitals and care homes. Online access to Un ballo in maschera will remain free of charge to viewers in these settings. For more information, please contact inspire@operahollandpark.com. 

FAQs

Having trouble accessing the film? Read our FAQs here before contacting our box office on box.office@operahollandpark.com / 0300 999 1000.  

Additional resources

Read our digital programme for Un ballo in maschera for free here.

Download an audio introduction for the opera provided by VocalEyes at this link: https://bit.ly/30Jx1ql.

Reviews

“The director, Rodula Gaitanou, updates the story effectively to the 1940s, with lots of sinister Third Man silhouettes, a disturbing asylum scene, a handsome set by Takis.” – The Times ★★★★

“The ball scene with its bloody denouement is a triumphant meld of lighting, design, and choreography.” – Independent ★★★★★

“Musically it’s exemplary” – Spectator

“A visual feast.” – The Stage ★★★★

“Matthew Kofi Waldren conducts with passion and sensitivity. The choral singing is outstanding.” – Guardian ★★★★

“A sweet tenor, an agonised baritone, and two exquisite sopranos navigated Verdi’s passages from lyricism to mockery with great subtlety, sometimes alone, sometimes in twos, sometimes all at once. No one beats Verdi at rendering the gorgeous cacophony of desire and rage. The night quivered. The orchestra thrilled. The wind blew through the grand marquee, and I became a devotee.” – Howard Jacobson, The Observer