Recommended for Grades 6-12
In this resource, you will:
- Learn the opera’s background and synopsis
- Meet the opera’s composer
Macbeth
by Giuseppe Verdi
Macbeth
by Giuseppe Verdi
A quick overview of Verdi’s 1847 opera of Shakespeare’s Scottish play.
Background
Verdi began planning his tenth opera in the summer of 1846 on contract with impresario Alessandro Lanari and the Teatro della Pergola in Florence, though the subject of the work was initially much in question. By late 1846, the engagement of celebrated baritone Felice Varesi, who was known for his dramatic abilities, secured Macbeth as the ideal choice of story and setting.
Preparations for the opera developed rapidly, particularly as Verdi had already done significant work for what would be his first Shakespearean subject. Verdi declared to his librettist Francesco Maria Piave that the tragedy of Macbeth is “one of the greatest creations of man! If we can’t do something great with it, let us at least try to do something out of the ordinary...”
Verdi, who was passionate about Shakespeare, was so devoted to his opera that he insisted on micromanaging all aspects of the rehearsal and revision process. Indeed, he made sure that Piave created the libretto according to his exact specifications, hiring his friend Andrea Maffei to redo particular sections. He also led the main artists through endless rehearsals, coaching them until every aspect was according to his design.
Despite the general unfamiliarity of Italian audiences with Shakespeare, the premiere in Florence was a hit and the opera enjoyed a successful run around Italy.
In 1864, Léon Escudier, a French impresario and publisher, asked Verdi to add ballet music for a revival of the opera at the Théâtre Lyrique in Paris. Verdi agreed but also was determined to make other alterations.
This new revised version included: a new aria for Lady Macbeth in Act II; major changes to Act III, including a new duet for Macbeth and Lady Macbeth; a new chorus at the beginning of Act IV; and the replacement of Macbeth’s death scene with a final “Inno di vittoria.” Although the premiere in Paris was not a great success, this later revision is the version performed most often today.
Macbeth is a magnificent work of sweeping dramatic intensity and striking musical sophistication.
Synopsis
Act I
A wood.
In a raging thunderstorm, three groups of witches appear and describe their evil deeds. When they hear a drum heralding Macbeth’s approach, they break into dance and song. Macbeth and Banquo, two generals in Duncan’s army, arrive. The witches greet Macbeth as Thane of Glamis, Thane of Cawdor, and King of Scotland; they hail Banquo as the father of future kings. Messengers arrive to announce the fulfillment of the second prophecy. To Banquo’s alarm, Macbeth reflects on gaining the throne. The witches leave.
A hall in Macbeth’s castle.
Lady Macbeth reads a letter from Macbeth telling her of his victory in battle and of the witches’ prophecy. She resolves to help him fulfill it. When a messenger announces that the king is on his way to the castle with Macbeth, she realizes they must act that night and calls on the powers of evil to help her. Macbeth appears and husband and wife quickly agree to the murder. King Duncan and his retinue arrive in procession.
A vision of a dagger prompts Macbeth to go and kill Duncan. But when he returns, wracked with remorse, his wife accuses him of cowardice. She snatches the dagger and goes off to the king’s rooms to incriminate the guards, returning with bloody hands to her now guilt-stricken husband. Macduff and Banquo arrive. While Macduff goes to wake the king, Banquo reflects on the wild night. Macduff discovers the murder and everyone vows vengeance on the unknown assassin.
Act II
A room in the castle.
Macbeth is now King of Scotland and Duncan’s son Malcolm, blamed for his father’s death, has fled to England. Because the witches prophesied that Banquo would be father of kings, Macbeth and his wife now plot to kill him and his sons and she is triumphant.
A park.
Assassins in Macbeth’s service wait for Banquo in the dark. He and his son Fleance arrive, Banquo uneasy with foreboding. Banquo is murdered, but his son escapes.
A magnificent room in the castle.
Macbeth and his queen welcome guests to his coronation festivities and she proposes a toast. An assassin arrives and tells Macbeth what happened in the park. Macbeth offers an explanation for Banquo’s absence, but when he goes to sit down he sees the ghost of Banquo sitting in his place and accusing him. Lady Macbeth tries to calm her husband and the troubled guests, and when the ghost vanishes the celebrations resume. The ghost reappears and Lady Macbeth is unable to control her husband. The Scottish nobles fear their land is now in the grip of criminals and Macduff decides to join the exiles.
Act III
A dark cavern.
On a stormy night the witches invoke evil spirits as they brew their magic potions. Macbeth arrives and asks them to prophesy his destiny. In response, they conjure up three apparitions who, in turn, warn him to beware Macduff, that he need fear “none born of woman,” and that he will be invincible until Birnam Wood marches on his castle. The witches then summon the apparition of eight kings who process past Macbeth, followed by Banquo carrying a mirror. Terrified, Macbeth recognizes them as Banquo’s descendants. Macbeth faints and the witches dance around him before disappearing.
After recovering, he vows to destroy Macduff and his family.
Act IV
A deserted spot on the border of Scotland and England.
Scottish refugees lament the suffering of their oppressed homeland and its wretched people. Macduff is distraught at the news of his wife’s and children’s murders. Malcolm arrives, leading a troop of English soldiers, and urges Macduff to find comfort in exacting revenge. Malcolm rallies the refugees to join forces in attacking Macbeth, using branches from the wood as camouflage.
A hall in Macbeth’s castle.
A doctor and lady-in-waiting listen in horror as Lady Macbeth, who has taken to sleepwalking, describes and relives the atrocities she and her husband have committed.
A room in Macbeth’s castle.
Macbeth, in desperation, awaits the advancing troops and reflects on his impending downfall. He is so distraught that he fails to react to the news of his wife’s death. When soldiers announce that Birnam Wood is on the move, he recalls the witches’ prophecy.
An open plain.
English soldiers carrying branches are advancing. Macbeth arrives, pursued by Macduff. The other two prophecies are now fulfilled: Macduff reveals that he was not born naturally but surgically removed from his mother’s womb; in the ensuing fight Macbeth falls to Macduff’s sword. Before he dies, he curses the trust he put in the witches’ powers in his ruthless pursuit of the crown. Malcolm is proclaimed king.
—Royal Opera House Covent Garden
Meet the Artists
Read the Student Guide
Read the Educator Guide
Listen to the Story
Joseph Mallord William Turner (1775-1851), Macbeth meets the Three Witches. Oil on canvas.
Presented by Washington National Opera, host Saul Lilienstein takes you through the musical world of Verdi’s 1847 opera of Shakespeare’s Scottish play, Macbeth.
Watch an Excerpt
The Royal Opera Chorus performs the Witches Chorus from Phyllida Lloyd’s production of Verdi’s Macbeth.
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