Production Fact Sheets

Props Lists

• Antonio Somma wrote the Libretto for Un Ballo in Maschera.

• Un Ballo in Maschera was first performed on February 17, 1859 in Rome.

• A total of almost 26 hours are required to set-up, tear down, and run the set for the opera.

• A crew of 30 are required to complete the task of setting up the set.

• The huge iron gate used in the set weighs just under 1 ton.

• The set, built by Utah Opera, has been rented by several other opera companies, including Florida Opera and Nevada Opera.

• A cast of over 98 people make up Un Ballo in Maschera.

• 45 instruments made up the original orchestra for Un Ballo in Maschera: 8 1st violins, 6 2nd violins, 4 violas, 2 violincellos, 1 bass, piccolo, flute, 2 oboe, 2 clarinets, 2 bassoon, 4 horn, 2 trumpet, 3 trombone, cimbasso, timpani, percussion, harp, bells.

An Interesting Story

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.