Verdi received a commission by the Florentine Pergola in early 1846, which was specific on only one point: the supernatural element must be evident."genera fantastico." Verdi leaned toward Shakespeare's Macbeth, but took quite a risk in doing so. Shakespeare was not popular in Italy at the time. Verdi had long been passionate for the Bard's work, and would in time create "Otello" and "Falstaff," as well.

Verdi used two librettists to create Macbeth: he began with Piave and ended with Maffei, and was reportedly a very difficult man during the creation of this opera. He was absolutely meticulous about his sets, the Scottish history research, special effects for the witch scenes, and was a strict taskmaster with his orchestra and his singer/actors. His efforts were rewarded mightily as the opera was a great success and he himself received 30 curtain calls!

In 1864, the Parisian Theatre Lyrique approached Verdi to produce the opera in Paris. He made significant changes to the score, revising arias for Lady Macbeth in Act II and Macbeth in Act III, and adding a new chorus in Act IV, along with a new finale. This is the standard presentation today.

Briefly: the play opens in a forest. Macbeth and Banquo find a coven of witches who make three predictions. Macbeth's rank shall rise, he shall be king, and Banquo's descendants shall be kings. The Macbeths come to the same conclusion, they must dispatch King Duncan quickly, and do so. But Macbeth has trouble handling the guilt.

Since Duncan's son flees Scotland, he is suspected of the murder. The Macbeths are still disturbed that the witches have predicted that Banquo's descendants shall be kings, so they decide to commit more murder. Banquo is killed, but his son manages to escape. Macbeth begins seeing the ghost of Banquo and visibly begins to deteriorate. Macduff becomes suspicious of his behavior.

Macbeth searches and finds the witches for answers. They warn Macbeth to be wary of Macduff; but he is advised not to fear any man born of a woman. Later the Macbeths come to the conclusion that the family of Macduff must die.

Act IV shows the tenor, Macduff, mourning and agonizing over the death of his sons in a tender, beautiful aria: "Ah La Paterno Mano" (A Father's Hand). (This aria is exquisitly done by Mr. Kearns.) Later Macduff breaches the fortress walls to confront Macbeth. The King still believes the final prophecy of the witches to not fear any man born of a woman, but that is crushed when Macduff reveals that he was not born in the usual way, but rather was "from his mother's womb untimely ripped."

Macduff and Macbeth engage in a sword fight which Macduff wins handily, killing the king. The opera ends as Duncan's son, Malcolm, is hailed king.

For a more detailed synopsis, please click on the link below:
VERDI'S MACBETH

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