Original Message:

From: Melissa (melissa.gerstein@gmail.com)
Date: 05/21/2009

Brooklyn Repertory Opera performs Verdi's "A Masked Ball" on Friday, June 5th at
7:30 PM, Sunday, June 7th at 3:30 PM, Friday, June 12th at 7:30 PM and Sunday,
June 14th at 3:30. "A Masked Ball" is set in a small present day European
kingdom. 

Act I opens with Riccardo (Edgar Jaramillo, Francis Liska) reviewing a list of
his guests for an upcoming masked ball. He is delighted to see Amelia (Tracy
Adele Cooper, Kathleen Keske) on the list because she is the woman he loves.
Unfortunately, Amelia is also the wife of his friend and advisor, Renato (Jay
Gould, Charles Karel). Renato, upon arriving tries to tell Riccardo about the
growing conspiracy ahead of him but Riccardo refuses to listen. 

Riccardo, disguised as a fisherman, arrives at fortune-teller Ulrica's (Gulnara
Mitzanova, Nicholas Tamagna) cave. Amelia arrives and confesses that she is
tormented for her love for Riccardo. Ulrica tells her to gather a magic herb for
the cure. After she leaves, Riccardo has his palm read by Ulrica, who tells him
that he will die by the first person who shakes his hand. Renato arrives and
Riccardo is amused when they shake hands in greeting, revealing Riccardo's
identity to everyone. 

Act II opens with Amelia being surprised by Riccardo and the two finally declare
their love for each other. Renato arrives unexpectedly so Amelia covers her face
with her veil, and Riccardo leaves after learning from Renato that conspirators
are pursuing him. When the conspirators arrive and Amelia realizes her husband
would rather fight with the conspirators than break his promise to escort her
back to town, she reveals her identity. Renato assumes that Amelia and Riccardo
have been involved in an adulterous love affair. 

Act III opens with Renato intending to kill Amelia, then changes his mind and
with the conspirators plans to murder Riccardo. Oscar, the page, (Alyssa Bowlby,
Pamela Scanlon), arrives with an invitation to the Masked Ball. At the ball,
Renato shoots Riccardo in anger and the wounded Riccardo discloses that although
he loved Amelia, she never broke her marriage vows. Riccardo bids farewell to
his friends and his country as he dies. 

The opera is conducted by Stephen Francis Vasta and Conrad Chu. Tickets for "A
Masked Ball" are $20.00 for adult, $10.00 for students and seniors, and $5.00
for unemployed with a UI stub. Group rates are also available. The Brooklyn
Lyceum is located at 227 4th Ave, Brooklyn, New York (located on the corner of
President Street and 4th Avenue). It is accessible via the R Subway at the Union
Street stop. For reservations or more information, call (866) 469-2687 or visit
www.bropera.org. 

Melissa! You gave away the whole plot of the opera. Now why would anybody shell
out $20 to see it?