After a fortune teller predicts both a romantic revelation and a deadly fate, King Gustavus learns that Amelia, the wife of his closest friend, returns his feelings. At the same time, he is warned that the next man to shake his hand will become his killer. When that man turns out to be his trusted friend, jealousy, betrayal, and political intrigue begin to escalate.

As personal loyalties unravel, tensions build toward a lavish masked ball where revenge and destiny converge. Inspired by the real-life assassination of Sweden’s King Gustav III, the opera combines romance, suspense, and tragedy in a story of forbidden love and fatal consequences. This production marks director Philipp Stölzl’s Royal Opera debut.