A Forgotten Masterpiece Revived: Gasparini’s “Amblet” Takes the Stage

the Vereinigte Bühnen Vienna, a cornerstone of Vienna Holding, is set to premiere Francesco Gasparini’s Amblet, a three-act dramma per musica, on May 6, 2025. This opera, predating Shakespeare’s widespread fame in Venice, offers a unique outlook on the Hamlet narrative, drawing inspiration from Saxo Grammaticus’s medieval chronicle, Danes.

Strong Female Leads and a Countertenor in the title Role

Unlike Shakespeare’s version, Amblet emphasizes the roles of its female characters. Ana Maria Labin portrays Getrude, while Erika Baikoff embodies Ophelia.The title role is performed by the acclaimed countertenor Raffaele PE, who also assumes musical direction. The cast includes Miklós Sebestyén as Claudius, Nikolay Borchev as Polonius, and Maayan Licht as Laertes.The Ensemble La Lira di Orfeo provides the musical accompaniment.

Director Ilaria Lanzino’s Vision: A Modern Lens on a Classic Tale

Following her acclaimed production of Liberation, director Ilaria Lanzino returns to the Music Theater at Vienna. Known for her imaginative and award-winning productions, lanzino aims to present a fresh interpretation of the Danish prince’s story, promising a thought-provoking experience for audiences. Her innovative approach seeks to resonate with contemporary audiences, offering new insights into the timeless themes of revenge, betrayal, and morality.

Performance Details and Ticket Data

The premiere of Amblet is scheduled for Tuesday, May 6, 2025, at 7:00 p.m.at the Music Theater on Vienna (Left Wienzeile 6,1060 Vienna). Additional performances are scheduled for:

• Thursday, May 8, 2025
• Saturday, may 10, 2025
• Monday, May 12, 2025
• Wednesday, May 14, 2025
• Saturday, May 17, 2025

All performances begin at 7:00 p.m., with a pre-performance introduction 30 minutes prior to the start.

Tickets are available through the Vereinigte Bühnen Vienna’s daily health insurance companies (Ronacher, Raimund Theater, and Theater an der Vienna), online, and at Vienna ticket. The call center can be reached at 01/588 85 (daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.). Tickets are also available at the vienna Ticket-Pavillon at the State Opera (herbert von Karajan Platz, open from 10:00 a.m.) and at all other Vienna Ticket offices. For online purchases, visit www.wien-ticket.at.

The Enduring Appeal of Hamlet: From Chronicle to Opera

Francesco Gasparini, a Tuscan composer and student of Arcangelo Corelli, composed Amblet in 1706 for the celebrated castrato Nicolini. The libretto, crafted by Apostolo Zeno and Pietro Pariati, was based on Saxo Grammaticus’s Danes, the same source that later inspired Shakespeare’s Hamlet. This highlights the enduring power of the Hamlet story,which continues to captivate audiences across centuries and artistic mediums.The opera offers a glimpse into how the tale was interpreted before Shakespeare’s version became the dominant narrative.

“Gasparini’s Amblet provides a fascinating counterpoint to Shakespeare’s iconic play, revealing the story’s roots and offering a unique artistic vision.”
Archynetys.com Music Desk