Macbeth

Composer : Giuseppe Verdi
Librettist : Francesco Maria Piave
Opera Year : 1847

Roles in this Opera include :
Banco
Lady Macbeth
Macbeth
Macduff

Pieces in this Opera include :
Ah la paterna mano
Ambizioso spirto
Due vaticini
Fuggi regal fantasima
La luce langue
Or tutti sorgete
Ora di morte
Pieta, rispetto, amore
Regna il sonno su tutti
Sappia la sposa mia
Si colme il calice
Studia il passo
Una macchia

Productions of this Opera are listed below:
Macbeth
Macbeth

Reviews of this Opera are listed below:
Macbeth review

ACT ONE.
Scene 1. A ghastly gaggle of witches have gathered on the heath, boasting of their magical powers. When Macbeth and Banco, commanders in King Duncan’s army, approach them, they hail Macbeth as the future king, and Banco as the father of kings. As the witches vanish, messengers bring news that Macbeth is now Thane of Cawdor. Both men are bemused by the turn of events.

Scene 2. Lady Macbeth reads the news of the witches’ prophecy sent by her husband, and it fires her ambition to become queen. However, she is concerned that her husband may not be up to the task. When she hears that King Duncan is to rest in their castle that night, she quickly plots to kill the king. Macbeth returns and his wife persuades him to murder Duncan, despite his initial reticence. Macbeth disappears into the King’s bedchamber, and emerges, the deed done, his hands covered in blood. However, Macbeth is tormented by the fear that after such a crime he will never sleep again. Lady Macbeth dismisses his fears, and wishes to smear the clothes of the guards with blood, to frame them for the murder. When Macbeth refuses to go into the bedroom again, she does the job herself. Macduff comes to wake the King, and discovers the murder. The entire household condemn the unknown assailants.

ACT TWO.
Scene 1. Macbeth is now King of Scotland, now that Duncan’s son Malcolm has fled to England under suspicion of his father’s murder. Macbeth feels insecure in his new position, and realises that to secure the throne, more blood must flow, particularly Banco’s.

Scene 2. Two groups of assassins lie in wait in woods for Banco and his son Fleance. The boy escapes but Banco is murdered.

Scene 3. Macbeth has thrown a great banquet; both he and Lady Macbeth are enjoying their elevated status. Whilst Lady Macbeth sings a drinking song, a blood-smeared murderer tells Macbeth that Banco is dead. The delighted Macbeth then publicly tries to take Banco’s empty place at table. To his horror, Banco’s ghost appears, seen only by Macbeth, and the new king panics. His bemused wife tries to reason with him, and reminds him to behave in front of the guests. Order restored, Lady Macbeth toasts the absent Banco, when the ghost appears again, and Macbeth almost confesses to the murder. Macbeth decides to visit the witches again to see what the future holds.

ACT THREE. The witches cook up spells in their caldrons and dance wildly. Macbeth asks them to question the Unknown Forces about his future. The first apparition tells him to beware of Macduff, the second that no man born of woman can harm him, and the third that he shall be safe until the Forest of Birnam is on the move. Macbeth presses the question as to whether Banco’s descendents will succeed to the throne; a parade of eight kings are seen, the last being Banco with a mirror in his hand. Macbeth faints, and the witches revive him just as his wife arrives. Together they decide to slaughter both Banco’s descendents and Macduff’s family.

ACT FOUR.
Scene 1. The Chorus bemoan the oppressive rule of Macbeth, and Macduff laments the loss of his family. Malcolm enters with his forces, and together they march on Macbeth’s castle, camouflaged with branches from Birnam Wood.

Scene 2. Lady Macbeth is sleepwalking, trying to rub the stain of guilt from her hands. Her lady-in-waiting and her doctor lament her mental decline.

Scene 3. Macbeth’s mind is in turmoil; he fears the prophecy yet does not fear the approaching army, until a message comes that Birnam Wood advances. He seems unmoved at the news of his wife’s death, and rushes to meet the advancing army.

Scene 4. On a broad plain, the armies meet, Macbeth defiant that Macduff cannot kill him, until Macduff reveals that he was “ripped untimely from my mother’s womb”. In the ensuing fight, Macduff stabs Macbeth, who dies. Malcolm enters and Macduff hails him as king. The Chorus rejoice that God has finally destroyed the tyrant Macbeth.

© 2005 Kirsty Young
Internet rights 2005 OperaTalent