Georgiana BrummellUn ballo in maschera, 1954
https://www.reddit.com/r/OldOpera/comments/1shcxpy/un_ballo_in_maschera_1954/
Tonight, I decided to return to Verdi and try Un ballo in maschera. The plot sounded quite interesting, and when I heard that two of my favourite singers were in it (one in the past and one in this performance), it made me curious, considering how different they were.
Libretto
https://www.murashev.com/opera/Un_ballo_in_maschera_libretto_English_Act_0
Recording
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d5_tdVR8nZM
Wikipedia Article
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Un_ballo_in_maschera
I actually read the Wikipedia article on this opera, and the story of its writing can create a drama in itself! From a complete change in setting to a real assassination occurring during its creation, it's very interesting. This is the revised version. The libretto was one of the best I've ever found as far as readability, since it was completely in English and free of any scanning errors. The plot of the opera was a good one, regardless. It was also tragic in several senses. Not only was it his best friend who killed him, but Ricardo didn't even do anything! Compounding things, he was even saying farewell to Amelia when it happened! This made the scene even more poignent. I also felt very sorry for Amelia, who unwittingly started this because she was seeking herbs to help quench her desires for Ricardo. Yet again, jealousy was the motivator in the murder, though of course, one was already being planned. I like how the supernatural was woven into it, so that, even if I hadn't read about it in Wikipedia, I would have expected some sort of plot twist from the moment I heard the prophecy.
this performance was wonderful. The sound was quite good, though there were a few minor skips and gliches. The singers were all first-rate. I only knew Tagliavini and Tassinari this time. Now I have others to add to my list. I was especially impressed by Giuseppe Valdengo. His voice was simply perfect for the role. Even though I usually don't like high-pitched female voices, I must say, María Curtis Verna sang very well. One thing that really surprised me was how happy/light so many of the melodies were, considering the seriousness of the story. Even Wikipedia mentions the many different musical styles and the combining of Italian and French opera. I can't comment on that, but I did enjoy the variety.
I would recommend this to anyone who wants to hear a really good opera. It's certainly not light like Rossini, but the plot and the music are both wonderful, and the singing is equally so.
Addendum
I originally read about this opera while gathering a list of the ones in which Tamagno performed. I know that he was very young when he sang this, and that his voice was still supple and flexible then, but the difference can't be any more obvious. I just listened to Tagliavini, the lightest, sweetest singer I know, and tried to imagine Tamagno, the heaviest, strongest singer I know, in this role, mostly with little success. It's true that he showed some softness and vulnerability in Niun mi tema, but that's still a far cry from what was being done here.