Opera doesn’t get much more Italian than Verdi, and Verdi doesn’t get any better than A Masked Ball (Un ballo in maschera), opening at San Diego Opera on March 8. Based on the true story of the assassination of King Gustav III of Sweden in 1792, it’s got everything—fortunetelling, a love triangle, political intrigue, and the murder of a king, along with a really great costume party. SDO’s production includes the hot Polish lyric tenor Piotr Beczala, Bulgarian soprano Krassimira Stoyanova, and American mezzo Stephanie Blythe. There’ll be eye-popping costumes on stage, but you can decide whether to dress up or just wear jeans (yes, even at the opera). March 8, 11, 14, and 16, Civic Theatre, sdopera.com
A Masked Ball
DAN REST
