Macbeth

In the organizer's words:

Melodrama in four acts by Giuseppe Verdi

The fact that Giuseppe Verdi (1813-1901) chose an English classic, William Shakespeare's "Macbeth", for his new stage work instead of an Italian subject was resented by reviewers at the premiere in Florence in 1847. Audiences, on the other hand, were enthusiastic about the mixture of human tragedy and chilling romance, in which Verdi once again sought to unite poetry and music in the service of theatrical effectiveness.

Witches prophesy that the victorious General Macbeth will become King of Scotland. But they also have a prophetic saying for his friend Banquo: he is to be the father of future kings. From then on, Macbeth and his ambitious wife, the Lady, pursue a bloody path to the throne. After the reigning king, Banquo falls victim to them, but his son escapes the assassins and Macbeth can no longer be sure of his throne. Hubris transformed into madness and the downfall of the royal couple take their inevitable course.