- A Danish prince becomes melancholic after the death of his father. But when the late king appears as a ghost and claims that he was murdered, events spiral out of control. Ambroise Thomas's adaptation of Shakespeare's immortal play was one of the most popular grand opéras of its day. Inspired by the rich tradition of film noir, OPERA2DAY's new production merges opera and film to penetrate deep into Hamlet's mind, revealing his hidden memories, visions, and dreams.
- Act I
King Hamlet of Denmark has passed away and his widow, Gertrude, is remarrying her brother-in-law, Claudius, after only two months. The late king and Gertrude's son, Prince Hamlet, is upset about his mother's remarriage and so his love, Ophélie, comforts him. Her brother, Laërte, interrupts them and says that he is being sent to Norway as an envoy. He entrusts Ophélie to take care of the melancholic Hamlet.
Hamlet's friend, Horatio, and a sentry, Marcellus, tell the isolated prince that they saw the ghost of his father the previous night. As the clock strikes midnight, the ghost also appears to Hamlet, telling him that he was poisoned by Claudius then asking him to take vengeance on his murderous brother but to spare his widow.
Act II
Hamlet feigns madness in front of King Claudius and Gertrude while he devises a plan to discover the truth. He decides to engage a troupe of actors to perform a play, The Murder of Gonzago, which tells a story similar to how he imagines the murder of his father was carried out. He is so focused on the play that he gives no attention to Ophélie, who decides that she wants to leave the court but is persuaded by the Queen to stay.
During the performance, Claudius, Gertrude and the rest of the audience see how the poison is administered and how the assassin places the crown on his head. Claudius turns pale and commands the play to stop. Hamlet believes that this proves his guilt and attacks him.
Act III
Hamlet wonders why he didn't kill the king when he had the opportunity. Thinking about his father returning as a ghost, he reflects on the mystery of life and death. A second opportunity to kill Claudius arises when the king starts kneeling in prayer, asking his brother to advocate him to the eternal judge. Worried that Claudius' soul may be saved if he is killed while in prayer, Hamlet once again delays his revenge. Overhearing his uncle's words, he learns that Ophélie's father was complicit in the murder.
Queen Gertrude tries to persuade Hamlet to marry Ophélie but the prince refuses. He tells Ophélie to instead enter a nunnery, then he tries to force his mother to admit her guilt. As Hamlet threatens her, he sees his father's ghost, who reminds him that Gertrude must be spared.
Act IV
After Hamlet's rejection, Ophélie has gone mad with grief. She cuts her wrist and, as she dies, she sings a mournful ballad about water sprites who lure their lovers to their deaths, dragging them underwater until they drown.
Act V
Hamlet comes across two gravediggers preparing a new grave, but they do not know who has died. The prince contemplates the grief that he must have put Ophélie through by leaving her, though he does not yet know that she has killed herself. Having returned from Norway, Laërte has learned of his sister's death. He challenges Hamlet to a duel but they are interrupted by Ophélie's funeral procession. The prince finally realises that the newly-dug grave is meant for the woman he loved. In despair, he kills Claudius, before taking his own life.
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