BS - Wednesday, October 24, 1984 - North Shore News Innocent Suzanne Murphy (foreground) as Amelia pleads innocent to charges that she has been having a love affair with King Gustav IE, the close friend of her husband, Ankarstrom, played by Donald Maxwell (background) in Verdi's classic, A Masked Ball. Although Ankarstrom initially refuses to believe his wife, he later relents and vows to kill Gustav. A Masked Ball incited heavy European censorship when it first appeared because it allegedly attacked the monarchy, which had been scandalized by Gustav's assassination. (The opera was written by Verdi based on an account of the events by the French writer, Eugene Scribe.) As a result, Verdi was forced to move the setting of the opera to Boston and to change the protagonist from a Swedish king (o a mythical co- lonial governor. in their presentation directed by Goran Jarvefelt, the Vancouver Opera restores A Masked Ball to its original 18th century Swedish setting. BOB BRADLEY The Only Guy in an All Girl photo submitted A MASKED BALL First opera inspiring FOR A first time opera-goer, Saturday’s perfor- Suzanne Murphy gives a act, O'Neill continually mance of Giuseppe Verdi’s A Masked Ball pro- ‘restrained, yet moving per- climbs onto the riser, thus vided a colorful and musically enthralling in- formance, as does Scottish towering over Murphy in . a . native Donaid Maxwell, in what seems lke obvious troduction ¢ phe world of traditional arias, the role of Ankarstrom. staging. Conversely, in the recitatives and Cnoruses. Mezzo-soprano Audrey final act when Amelia and —— By JOANNE Before his death at the Glass is particularly rivetting Gustav meet for the last time NEIGHBOURHOOD PUB climactic masked bal], aSthe satanic Utnica. at the masked ball, the two however, Gustav manages to Rosamund Illing, as Oscar performers merely stand Appearing Wed. Oct. 24 — Sat. 27 The four-act opera, which convince Ankarstrom of his ‘he page, performs one of — side-by-side — without call- s signalled the opening of the wife’s physical innocence the more demanding roles in ing undue attention to their Saturday Breakfast Special Vancouver Opera’s 1984-85 and pledges that the two will “4 Masked Ball. Called upon height difference. season, deals with the suc- never meet again. He dies — _—‘'© execute both comedy and Overall, the elegantly 3 Eggs. Bacon, Sausage Only cessful overthrow of royalty — but not before he forgives all huighly-charged drama, the staged and costumed pro- Hashbrowns & Toast by revolutionanes in the those involved in the con. diminutive Iling demon duction impressed this oper- Served 10 AM 1PM 37° Swedish court of Gustav {fl spiracy — with tis tase States a brillant and mech atic neophyte — so much so in 1792, However, the main words bidding Sweden voral range A veteran of the — that the next production of storyline, which ultimately goodbye Australian, English and the Vancouver Opera will be leads to) Gustav's death, The international case Welsh National Operas, I a must item -5 585 concerns the king's) passion features strong performances [Me Ss credentialy include ma A Masked Ball continues ne > for his best. trend’, wite. by all of the principal 1! roles in several of the at the Queen Flizabeth 175 E First St N > Vancouver Amelia players, but notably trom — ‘lasstes Theatre, with productions Although the two) lovers Welsh tenor Dennis Oo Nedt The Engtish born Richard on October 2S and 27 have never consummated as Gastay Hib OoNetils ex Armetrong conducted the then love, the discovery of pressive vone accurately Yabeouver Opera Orchestra : " AV, then feelings by Amelia's translates the emotion of the Hothere is one criticisa of husband, Ankarstrom. as the moment, whether ttl be his A Mashed Ball, wos a miner | 4 , q turning poimt ous the drama anguish at leaving fis belos one Mooeaneenns how the revelation of has ed Amelia, or humor at OoNedbs height was deals wite’s love for another man hearmp the motorous for with in his scenes with the leads Ankarstrom oto plot tume Cellet UC lriea predict tas Shightts caller Murphy Crustay s death with the help death oat othe thanes of oa Ino there geuppiag base haves : of the kimgp os prime enemies ftroend which takes place am the : Counts Horn and Ribbing Ns Armed the drist tort gallows frelel tr the second : Sponsored by North Van Firefighters 3 Great Nights Starting Tomorrow Night Thursday Friday Saturday Oct. 25 26 27 From 7 p.m. - 1 p.m. Free Admission Loarrutercdd tar TO yous carved Cole feet a Vancouver General Hospital Burn Unit Avalon Motor Hotel Limited NYoaen BACK AGAIN BY POPULAR DEMAND! Axyatatie Toesday (hea Sotdeay GIN TE Oe J earh SUNDOWNER SUPER COMBO PRIME RIB accompanied by Di N N ER SEAFOOD SHISHKEBAB % 1 0° 5 (erry ate Sundowner Restaurant 921-8161 You ll see our sign 3 miles north of Horseshuec Hay (604) 985 4181