Details

Written during the sudden illness and consequent death of his first wife, it is a melodrama giocoso in two acts and is surprisingly comic considering the tragic personal circumstances under which it was written. 'King for a Day' ('Un Giorno di Regno') was Verdi's second opera, and his only other comedy apart from 'Falstaff'. In order to distract attention from the real king, a French chevalier assumes the identity of the king of Poland and becomes 'king for a day' - causing comic havoc in the love lives and dynastic plans of his unwitting hosts and their progeny. The score is full of the young Verdi's fresh, irresistible melodies.

Cast/Performers

Vladimir Chernov (Belfiore), John Del Carlo (Kelbar), Irene Tsirakidis (Marchesa del Poggio), Susanne Mentzer (Giulietta di Kelbar), Carlo Scibelli (Edordo di Sanvel), Donald Maxwell (La Rocca), Jeffrey Stewart (Ivrea), Philip Sheffield (Delmonte)

Creatives/Company

Music: Verdi
Company: Royal Opera
Conductor: Maurizio Benini