ASSASSINATION, love and political intrigue form the basis for the latest operatic production at Malvern Theatres next week.

Verdi's Un Ballo in Maschera (A Masked Ball) is the lavish work of Compagnia d'Opera Italiano di Milano, sung in the original Italian and backed by a 36-piece orchestra.

The plot follows Governor Riccardo and his friend Renato. Despite a warning from Renato of a conspiracy to assassinate him, the governor remains unperturbed. He has no time to worry, as he is too busy chasing his secret love Amelia, who happens to be Renato's wife. Then at the evening's masked ball, events take a tragic turn.

In 1853 Verdi was in Venice for a production of La Traviata and became friendly with the lawyer and playwright Antonio Somma, who volunteered to write a libretto for him. However, Verdi was not impressed with the subject proposed and suggested Somma work on a libretto of Shakespeare's King Lear, which was completed to the composer's satisfaction.

The story is based on the real life assassination of King Gustav III of Sweden at a masked ball in 1792 but the events were changed to take place in Boston because of worries from strict Neapolitan censors prior to the first performance in Rome in 1859.

Compagnia d'Opera Italiano di Milano has more than 50 years experience of staging operatic performances and returns to Malvern after sell-out visits with Tosca, La Traviata and La Boheme since 2000.

Un Ballo in Maschera will run in the Festival Theatre from Thurs-day to Saturday, February 27 to March 1 at 7.30pm. Tickets start at £17, available from the box office on 01684 892277.