Hamlet (2002)

Scene 1 – 1910 · The

The opera takes place in Denmark, in the castle of Elsinore. At this time, the royal succession in Denmark followed the matriarchal line. Gertrude, as heir to the throne, determined the kingship through marriage. Her first husband, Hamlet, and her second, his brother Claudius, could only become king by marrying her. Because his mother was still alive at his father’s death, Prince Hamlet could not inherit the throne himself — only if both Claudius and Gertrude were to die would he become king.

The court celebrates Claudius’s marriage to Gertrude, his late brother’s wife, and his accession to the throne. Presumptuously, he “offers” the crown to Gertrude, an act that displeases both the court and Hamlet, who has absented himself from the ceremony. Ophelia worries over Hamlet’s melancholy; her father Polonius disapproves of her relationship with him; her brother Laertes bids farewell as he departs to fight the Norwegians.

That night, Horatio and Marcellus tell Hamlet that his father’s ghost has appeared on three successive nights. The Ghost reveals to Hamlet the truth of his murder — he was poisoned by Claudius. He demands revenge but commands Hamlet to spare Gertrude:
“Leave her to Heaven!”

Hamlet, torn by indecision, masks his turmoil with feigned madness. His cryptic statements raise suspicion in Claudius and Gertrude, who begin to fear he knows more than he should. Ophelia, heartbroken, despairs over his erratic behavior.

Seeking confirmation of Claudius’s guilt, Hamlet instructs a troupe of traveling actors to perform The Murder of Gonzaga, a play mirroring his father’s murder. The plan succeeds — Claudius reacts with horror, and the court descends into chaos.

Hamlet finds Claudius praying and has the chance to kill him — but hesitates, reluctant to strike down a man in prayer.

When Gertrude urges him to marry Ophelia, he cruelly rejects her and, in his rage, confronts his mother over her guilt. He demands she admit her role in his father’s murder. The Ghost appears again, rebuking Hamlet for delaying his revenge and once more forbidding him to harm Gertrude.

Shattered by Hamlet’s rejection, Ophelia descends into madness and drowns herself in the river. Unaware of her fate, Hamlet speaks with the gravediggers, only to learn they are preparing a grave for Ophelia.

Laertes, manipulated by Claudius, seeks revenge for his sister’s death and challenges Hamlet to a duel. As they fight, the funeral procession arrives, revealing Ophelia’s death. At Claudius’s signal, Laertes wounds Hamlet with a poisoned blade. The Ghost appears once more — this time, Hamlet finally fulfills his oath, killing Claudius before succumbing to his own wound.

He dies in Ophelia’s embrace, the tragedy of Elsinore complete.