from Act II, Scene 2 of the Italian opera Macbeth by Giuseppe Verdi

Libretto: Francesco Maria Piave

Role: Banco, a general in the army of King Duncan of Scotland

Voice Part: bass       Fach: lyric bass

Setting: A garden close to Macbeth's castle, Scotland

Synopsis: Banco has entered a garden with his son. He knows that the murder of King Duncan was somehow arranged by Macbeth and sings to the absent man, telling him that as the witches predicted, Macbeth has become King and Thane althoughh not without foul play. He also attempts to keep himself from thinking these accusing thoughts.

from Act II, Scene 1 of the Italian opera Macbeth by Giuseppe Verdi

Libretto: Francesco Maria Piave

Role: Lady Macbeth, the wife of Macbeth

Voice Part: soprano       Fach: dramatic coloratura

Setting: A hall in Macbeth's castle, Scotland

Synopsis: Macbeth has murdered King Duncan. However,the prophecy that proclaims that he will become both Thane and King also predicts that Banco will be the father of kings. Determined not to let this happen, Macbeth finally decides halfheartedly to kill Banco as well. After he leaves, Lady Macbeth declares that this pretender (Banco) to the throne will be extinguished soon because this situation requires it.

from Act II, Scene 1 of the Italian opera Macbeth by Giuseppe Verdi

Libretto: Francesco Maria Piave

Role: Lady Macbeth, the wife of Macbeth

Voice Part: soprano       Fach: dramatic coloratura

Setting: A hall in Macbeth's castle, Scotland

Synopsis: Macbeth has murdered King Duncan. However,the prophecy that proclaims that he will become both Thane and King also predicts that Banco will be the father of kings. Determined not to let this happen, Macbeth finally decides halfheartedly to kill Banco as well. After he leaves, Lady Macbeth revels in the joy that the scepter of the royalty will soon be hers.

from Act I, Scene 2 of the Italian opera Macbeth by Giuseppe Verdi

Libretto: Francesco Maria Piave

Role: Lady Macbeth, the wife of Macbeth

Voice Part: soprano       Fach: dramatic coloratura

Setting: A hall in Macbeth's castle, Scotland

Synopsis: Lady Macbeth has just read a letter aloud from Macbeth saying that he has been appointed Thane of Cawdor and, right before he was appointed Thane, a group of witches prophesied that he would be both Thane and King soon. Told that King Duncan and Macbeth have arrived at the castle, she plans to "help" the prophecy along by killing Duncan and sings to herself, trying to convince herself not back out of her plan.

from Act II, Scene 3 of the Italian opera Macbeth by Giuseppe Verdi

Libretto: Francesco Maria Piave

Role: Lady Macbeth, the wife of Macbeth

Voice Part: soprano       Fach: dramatic coloratura

Setting: A banquet hall in Macbeth's castle, Scotland

Synopsis: Macbeth asks his wife to sing for him and all the people assembled at the banquet and she responds with this drinking song.

from Act IV, Scene 2 of the Italian opera Macbeth by Giuseppe Verdi

Libretto: Francesco Maria Piave

Role: Lady Macbeth, the wife of Macbeth

Voice Part: soprano       Fach: dramatic coloratura

Setting: A room in Macbeth's castle, Scotland

Synopsis: Lady Macbeth is sleep-walking and, with a doctor and woman looking on, proceeds to mimic washing her hands clean of the blood of those murdered in her husband's rise to the throne. She is not able to get it all off of her hands, though.

from Act I, Scene 2 of the Italian opera Macbeth by Giuseppe Verdi

Libretto: Francesco Maria Piave

Role: Lady Macbeth, the wife of Macbeth

Voice Part: soprano       Fach: dramatic coloratura

Setting: A hall in Macbeth's castle, Scotland

Synopsis: Lady Macbeth has just read a letter aloud from Macbeth saying that he has been appointed Thane of Cawdor and, right before he was appointed Thane, a group of witches prophesied that he would be both Thane and King soon. Lady Macbeth is excited about this prospect and sings of this excitement that her husband will soon be King of Scotland.

from Act III of the Italian opera Macbeth by Giuseppe Verdi

Libretto: Francesco Maria Piave

Role: Macbeth, a general in the army of King Duncan of Scotland

Voice Part: baritone       Fach: dramatic baritone

Setting: A dark cave with a boiling cauldron in the center.

Synopsis: Macbeth has been approached by apparitions who foretell what will happen in the future. He becomes a little frightened of them and commands them to leave him. Before they do so, they tell him that Banco's son will live and Macbeth, shocked by this news, faints.

from Act III of the Italian opera Macbeth by Giuseppe Verdi

Libretto: Francesco Maria Piave

Role: Macbeth, a general in the army of King Duncan of Scotland

Voice Part: baritone       Fach: dramatic baritone

Setting: A dark cave with a boiling cauldron in the center.

Synopsis: Told by a ghost that he will not be conquered until "great Birnam wood" come to "high Dunsinane hill", Macbeth rejoices in this arioso for he does not believe that such a thing is possible.

from Act IV, Scene 3 of the Italian opera Macbeth by Giuseppe Verdi

Libretto: Francesco Maria Piave

Role: Macbeth, a general in the army of King Duncan of Scotland

Voice Part: baritone       Fach: dramatic baritone

Setting: A room in Dunsinane Castle, Scotland

Synopsis: Macbeth has been trapped in his castle by a revolt of the Scottish noblemen. He feels like he may lose his life before the rebellion ends and, even if he doesn't, he will never be loved in his own life. He laments this fact.

from Act IV, Scene 1 of the Italian opera Macbeth by Giuseppe Verdi

Libretto: Francesco Maria Piave

Role: Macduff, a Scottish nobleman, the Lord of Fife

Voice Part: tenor       Fach: lyric tenor

Setting: The border between England and Scotland

Synopsis: Macbeth has killed Macduff's children and his wife. Macduff, immensely saddened by this news, laments his children's death.