Gustave III (opera)

"Gustave III, ou Le bal masqué" ("Gustavus III, or The Masked Ball") is an "opéra historique" or grand opera in five acts by Daniel Auber, with a libretto by Eugène Scribe.

Performance history

It received its first performance at the Paris Opéra on 27 February 1833. The opera was a major success for the composer, with 168 performances until 1853.

Roles

ynopsis

The story concerns the assassination of Gustavus III, King of Sweden. The libretto was translated into Italian and used by Verdi for Un ballo in maschera, which should be consulted for a summary of the plot.

elected recordings

*"Gustave III" Laurence Dale, Rima Tawil, Christian Treguier, French Lyrique Orchestra; Intermezzo Vocal Ensemble, conducted by Michel Swierczewski (Arion, 1993)
*The overture and ballet music from "Gustave III" appears at the end of the second disc of Richard Bonynge's recording of Auber's "Le domino noir".

ources

*"Gustave III" by Herbert Schneider, in 'The New Grove Dictionary of Opera', ed. Stanley Sadie (London, 1992) ISBN 0-333-73432-7
*Booklet notes to the Bonynge recording listed above