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

Joshua Hopkins (Cavaliere di Belfiore), Christine Rice (Marchesa del Poggio), Henry Waddington (Barone di Kelbar), Oliver Sewell (Edoardo), Madison Leonard (Giulietta di Kelbar), Grant Doyle (La Rocca)

Creatives/Company

Music: Verdi
Producer: Garsington Opera
Director: Christopher Alden
Conductor: Tobias Ringborg
Design(s): Charles Edward, Matt Vale (video), Rob Vale (video)
Costume: Sue Willmington
Lighting: Ben Pickersgill
Choreographer: Tim Claydon
Company(s): Philharmonia Orchestra, Garsington Opera Chorus