Based on Shakespeare’s famed tragic tale of ambition and greed, “Macbeth” was Verdi’s first tribute to the Bard, the writer whom he loved most. The composer idolized Shakespeare’s works and adapted several of his plays for the operatic stage.

In writing about “Macbeth,” Verdi said to his librettist, Francesco Maria Piave, “This tragedy is one of the greatest creations of man! If we can’t do something great with it, let us at least try to do something out of the ordinary…” and they succeeded. Verdi transformed the original play into an opera, but took liberties to embellish the plot, in this case emphasizing the supernatural and elevating the role of the Witches, as well as promoting Lady Macbeth to a dominant position.

In Seattle Opera’s production, designer Robert Israel’s innovative staging brings out Verdi’s haunting and unsettling score. From the opening scene where the Witches, wearing wedding dresses and widow’s attire with extensive veiling, crawl and slink around behind a see-through curtain, the audience knows it’s in for a unique, adventuresome evening of entertainment.

The cast was in fine form on opening night and sang their roles with depth and passion. Kudos to Andrea Gruber, as Lady Macbeth, and Gordon Hawkins, as Macbeth, for their commanding interpretations of such complex characters.

Gruber was riveting to watch and to hear, as she portrayed the greedy, fiend-like queen who descends into madness, with a white-knuckled intensity. Hawkins brought out the various shades of his character, showing how Macbeth’s internal conflicts and fears crippled him and eventually led to his downfall. He is a powerhouse performer whose baritone is a good match for Verdi’s music.

Supporting roles, especially Joseph Calleja as Macduff, Leodigario del Rosario as Malcolm and Burak Bilgili as Banquo, were strong and equaled the leads in vocal excellence.

Israel’s bare walls set and Christopher Akerlind’s imaginative lighting created an eerie, ghostly palette against which this tragedy unfolds. And conductor Nicola Luisotti, making his Seattle debut, led the orchestra and chorus with a deft touch. Seattle Opera’s “Macbeth” is a rollercoaster of thrills and high drama that makes for captivating entertainment. The show runs through May 20. For ticket information, call (206) 389-7676. Seattle Opera’s 2006/07 season opens Aug. 5 with “Der Rosenkavalier,” by Strauss, followed by Rossini’s “The Italian Girl in Algiers,” Mozart’s “Don Giovanni,” Handel’s “Julius Caesar” and Puccini’s “La bohème.” For more information, visit: www.seattleopera.org.