If you’ve read Sung in the Shadows, then have I got a treat for you! (And if not, you can still read this and enjoy it, and it might even make your reading of Sung in the Shadows a little richer!)
Remember how Ezekiel was commissioned to write the music for an opera? The storyline was vaguely referenced, and so I decided that what could be more fun than to have the actual playbill from the final production? So without further ado, settle in for a peek at Ezekiel’s opera. (Unfortunately, I have no music. How sad.)
*I do confess, I did use AI to help create the story, then I edited it to make it fit what I wanted it to be. There are only so many hours in a day and only so much creativity in the midst of life. Plus, writing an opera plot is WAY out of my wheelhouse. So I pray you will give me grace for using AI to help me create a bonus material item. The playbill is my design.*
The Grand Opera House
Presents
A Graham Linville Production
Composed by Ezekiel Beaumont
On Tuesday, February 28, 1882
and following evenings at 8
The Insurrectionist’s Masquerade
A gripping journey into a world of secrets and masquerades
Featuring Eleonora Beaumont
as Princess Seraphina
A New Operetta in 3 Acts
The Insurrectionist’s Masquerade
Libretto Written by Graham Linville
Score Composed by Ezekiel Beaumont
King Leontius (corrupt leader) . . . Alessio Marelli
Severin (king’s spy) . . . Matthias Draegor
Princess Seraphina (king’s betrothed) . . . Eleonora Beaumont
Anneliese (princess’s maid) . . . Lucinda Veralli
Captain Alaric (insurrection leader) . . . Ottavio Vescari
Valenin (Alaric’s second in command) . . . Vicktor Torien
New Scenery by Ms. Theresa Plane
The Setting
A lavish masquerade ball at King Leonitius’s countryside palace. It’s the eve of a royal wedding between the king and Princess Seraphina. The ball is filled with noble guests, all masked to preserve their identities and add to the air of mystery.
Act I . . . A Masquerade Begins
Act II . . . A Dangerous Attraction
Act III . . . The Unmasking
Summary
ACT 1: THE MASQUERADE BEGINS
The grand ballroom of the palace is alive with music and revelry. King Leontius is celebrating his victory in unifying two kingdoms and subduing an enemy. Princess Seraphina, however, is troubled. She feels no passion for King Leontius. Her heart already belongs to another dashing and mysterious man in a dark mask, whom she met at a previous ball under a false identity. Little does she know that this mysterious man is Captain Alaric, the rebellious leader of a resistance group plotting to overthrow King Leontius’s corrupt rule.
Unbeknownst to the princess, the masquerade is not just a celebration, but a secret meeting point for conspirators. Two factions are vying for power: Severin’s spies seek to protect the monarchy while Captain Alraic and his men seek revolution. Tensions bubble beneath the festive atmosphere, and a dangerous game of deception begins.
ACT II: A DANGEROUS ATTRACTION
Seraphina and Alaric share a passionate duet, “Whispers in the Dark,” where they confess their love for each other, though neither knows the true identity of the other. As they grow closer, the danger mounts. Severin’s spies have uncovered the plot to assassinate the king and are seeking to capture the conspirators.
Meanwhile, King Leontius grows suspicious of the princess’s behavior, noticing her distancing herself from him and her mysterious conversations. He’s not as naive as he appears and is determined to uncover the truth, even if it means exposing the conspirators and ruining his wedding.
Summary
ACT III: THE UNMASKING
The night reaches its climax as the clock strikes midnight. The guests are urged to unmask themselves, and chaos erupts. King Leonitus confronts the princess, demanding an explanation, while Alaric is exposed as the leader of the rebel group. King Leonitus orders Captain Alaric’s immediate execution.
In a dramatic confrontation, Seraphina must choose between her duty to the crown and her love for Alaric. The rebel forces break into the ballroom, leading to a violent stand-off.
In the final moments, Seraphina chooses to join Alaric and the fight for revolution. King Leonitus is fatally wounded, and the rebels escape with guards chasing them. Seraphina and Alaric escape singing the final duet, “Freedom’s Kiss.”
MUSICAL HIGHLIGHTS
“Whispers in the Dark” . . . a soaring love aria for Seraphina and Alaric
“The Prince’s Command” . . . a duet of conflict between Seraphina and Leonitus
“Revolutions Cry” . . . a rousing ensemble number as rebel forces make their move
“Freedom’s Kiss” . . . a dramatic, bittersweet finale duet as Seraphina and Alaric escape
If you haven’t read Sung in the Shadows yet, you can learn more about it here.
My question for YOU:
What did you think of the operetta?
I modeled the design after playbills of the time, so I hope it felt like a night at the theater for you. I loved how there were parallels to The Insurrectionist’s Masquerade and Sung in the Shadows. (Yes, I purposely built those in and tweaked AI’s story to do what I wanted for the operetta.)
ABOUT CRYSTAL CAUDILL
Crystal Caudill is the author of “dangerously good historical romance.” Her debut novel, Counterfeit Love, was a 2023 Carol Award finalist, and her novella, “Star of Wonder,” won the 2024 Christy Award for short form. She loves history, hot tea, all things bookish, and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. She is a stay-at-home mom, caregiver, and chaos organizer. When she isn’t writing, Crystal can be found hanging with her family and playing board games at her home outside Cincinnati, Ohio. Find out more at crystalcaudill.com.
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