Verdi - Un Ballo in Maschera - Callas, Di Stefano, Gobbi, Antonino Votto, Chorus and Orchestra La Scala Milan, 1956

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Un ballo in maschera (A Masked Ball), is an opera in three acts by Giuseppe Verdi with text by Antonio Somma. The opera's first production was at the Teatro Apollo, Rome, 17 February 1859. The libretto is a romantic version of the assassination of Gustav III of Sweden—even though again the censorship barred the murder of a king and so made nonsense of the story, its setting transported from 18th-century Stockholm to Puritan Boston, a hundred years earlier. Un ballo in maschera show the enrichment of Verdi’s power as an interpreter of human character and as a master of orchestral colour. ~ answers.com This recording dates back to 1956 and is the last studio recording that Callas made with di Stefano (their relationships were getting worse and they didn't collaborate again until 1973!!). Although they were not in very good terms, this fact does not appear at all in this recording. Their love duet in the second act is magnificently sung both artistically and dramatically. Callas is in quite in good voice here and sings the role of Amelia with conviction. We really sympathize with her in her pleadings to see for the last time her son and in her agony about the proximent death of the Count. But most of all we admire Gobbi interpretation of Renato. He is a wonderful actor. At first, he is nice, good, cares a lot about his friend's life and all these can be heard. But, when he discovers his wife with his best friend, jealousy bursts in him and fury overtakes him. His voice becomes menacing full of anger. But in the end, when he learns the whole truth, his voice is filled with remorse and pity. WOW! So, this recording is higly recommended. We have 3 wonderful voices and 2 more than wonderful actors. ~ amazon.com

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The Main Characters
Riccardo, Earl of Warwick and governor of Boston (or Gustavo, King of Sweden) - tenor
Amelia, wife of Renato, in love with Riccardo - soprano
Renato (or Count Anckarström), husband of Amelia and Riccardo's secretary, best friend and confidant - baritone
Oscar, Riccardo's page - coloratura soprano
Ulrica (or Madame Arvidson), a fortune-teller – contralto
A judge – tenor
Silvano (or Cristiano) - bass
Amelia’s servant - tenor
Samuel (or Count Ribbing) - bass
Tom (or Count Horn) - bass

Basic Plot Summary

Act 1
Scene 1: A public audience at Riccardo’s palace, attended by his supporters, but also by his enemies who hope for his downfall
Riccardo reviews the list of guests who will attend an upcoming masked ball. He is elated to see on the list the name of the woman he loves – Amelia, the wife of his friend and advisor, Renato. (Aria: La rivedrà nell'estasi / "With rapture I shall look upon her"). When Renato arrives, he tries to warn Riccardo about the growing conspiracy against him (aria: Alla vita che t'arride / "To the life with which you are favoured"), but Riccardo refuses to listen to his words.
Next, Riccardo is presented with a complaint against a fortune-teller named Ulrica, accused of witchcraft. A magistrate calls for her banishment, but Oscar the page defends her (Aria: Volta la terrea / "That tense countenance"). Riccardo resolves to investigate for himself and tells the members of the court to disguise themselves and to meet him at Ulrica’s lodging later that day.
Scene 2: At Ulrica’s dwelling
Ulrica summons her magical powers: Re dell'abisso, affrettati / "King of the abyss make haste". Disguised as a fisherman, Riccardo arrives before the others. He makes the fortune of a sailor named Silvano come true by spiriting a document of promotion into his pouch, convincing the crowd of the truth of Ulrica's powers. When he realizes that Amelia is coming to see Ulrica, he hides and watches. Alone with Ulrica, Amelia confesses that she is tormented by her love for Riccardo, and asks for a means to bring peace to her heart. Ulrica tells her to gather a certain herb with magical powers; Riccardo resolves to be there when she does so. Amelia leaves.
Now Riccardo presents himself again, along with all of the courtiers, and asks to have his fortune told. (Aria: Di' tu se fedele / "Say whether the sea Awaits me faithfully"). Ulrica reveals that he will be killed by the next man who shakes his hand. He laughingly dismisses her prophecy and offers his hand to the courtiers, who refuse to take it. Renato arrives and shakes Riccardo's hand in greeting. Riccardo’s true identity is now revealed and he is acclaimed by the people.

Act 2
On the outskirts of the town, at the gallows-place. Midnight
Amelia, conquering her fears, has come here alone to pick the herb of which Ulrica told her (Aria: Ma dall'arido stelo divulsa / " If through the arid stalks"). She is surprised by Riccardo, who has come to meet her. Now the two finally declare their love for each other.
Unexpectedly, Renato arrives, and Amelia covers her face with her veil before he can recognize her. Renato explains to Riccardo that the conspirators are pursuing him, and his life is in danger. Riccardo leaves, making Renato promise to escort the veiled woman safely back to town, not asking her identity. When the conspirators arrive, they confront Renato; in the struggle, Amelia’s veil drops. Renato assumes that Amelia and Riccardo have been involved in an adulterous love affair. He asks the two leaders of the conspiracy, Samuel and Tom, to meet him the next day.

Act 3
Scene 1: Renato’s house
Renato has resolved to kill Amelia for the dishonor she has brought on him. She protests her innocence and begs to see her son one last time. (Aria: Morrò, ma prima in grazia / "I shall die - but one last wish"). Renato relents, and declares that it is Riccardo, not Amelia, who deserves to die (Aria: Eri tu che macchiavi quell'anima / "It was you who stained this soul").
Samuel and Tom arrive, and Renato asks to join their plot, pledging the life of his son as proof of his sincerity. They agree to draw lots to decide who will kill Riccardo. Amelia is forced to draw the winning name – Renato.
Oscar, the page, arrives with invitations to the masked ball; Samuel, Tom and Renato agree that this is where the assassination will take place.
Scene 2: The ball
Riccardo, torn between love and duty, has resolved to renounce his love for Amelia and send her and Renato back to England (Aria: Ma se m'è forza perderti / "But if I am forced to lose you").
At the ball, Renato tries to learn from Oscar what costume Riccardo is wearing. Oscar at first refuses to tell (Aria: Saper vorreste / "You want to know How he is dressed"), but finally answers: a black cloak and a red ribbon. Riccardo manages to identify Amelia and tells her of the decision he has made. As they say goodbye, Renato stabs Riccardo. The wounded Riccardo discloses that though he loved Amelia, she never broke her marriage vows. He pardons all the conspirators, bidding farewell to his friends and his country as he dies.

Track Listings

CD1
1. Preludio 4:16
2. Posa in pace, a' bei sogni ristora 1:34
3. S'avanza il Conte 1:38
4. La rivedrà nell'estasi 1:55
5. Il cenno mio di là con essi attendi 2:33
6. Alla vita che t'arride 2:49
7. Il primo giudice 1:30
8. Volta la terrea 2:37
9. Ogni cura si doni al diletto 2:15
10. Zitti... l'incanto non dèssi turbare 4:01
11. Arrivo il primo! 2:29
12. Su, fatemi largo, saper vo' il mio fato 1:02
13. Rallegrati omai 2:22
14. Che v'agita così? 1:26
15. Della città all'occaso 1:29
16. Consentimi, o Signore 2:00
17. Figlia d'averno, schiudi la chiostra 0:29
18. Su, profetessa, monta il treppiè 0:48
19. Dí' tu se fedele 3:19
20. Chi voi siate, l'audace parola 2:26
21. È scherzo od e follia 3:25
22. Finisci il vaticinio 4:25
23. Preludio 2:23
24. Ecco l'orrido campo ove s'accoppia 1:30
25. Ma dall'arido stelo divulsa 5:12
26. Teco io sto 1:32
27. Non sai tu che se l'anima mia 4:12
28. Oh, qual soave brivido 3:44
Total time: 69:21

CD 2
1. Ahimè! s'appressa alcun 2:09
2. Amico, gelosa t'affido una cura 0:54
3. Odi tu come fremono cupi 1:57
4. Seguitemi 2:38
5. Ve', se di notte qui colla sposa 5:01
6. A tal colpa è nulla il pianto 2:16
7. Morrò, ma prima in grazia 4:31
8. Alzati! là tuo figlio 1:52
9. Eri tu che macchiavi quell'anima 4:19
10. Siam soli. Udite 2:36
11. Dunque l'onta di tutti sol una 0:54
12. D'una grazia vi supplico 3:57
13. Qual è dunque l'eletto? 1:21
14. Il messaggio entri 1:05
15. Ah! Di che fulgor, che musiche 2:44
16. Forse la soglia attinse 2:37
17. Ma se m'è forza perderti 2:45
18. Ah! dessa è là 1:38
19. Fervono amori e danze 2:08
20. Saper vorreste di che si veste 2:02
21. Fervono amori e danze 1:28
22. Ah! perchè qui! fuggite 4:38
23. E tu ricevi il mio! 1:14
24. Ella è pura: in braccio a morte 4:35
Total time: 61:19

Product Details
Opera: Un Ballo In Maschera
Composer: Giuseppe Verdi
Orchestra: La Scala Theater Orchestra
Conductor: Antonino Votto
Nicola Zaccaria (Bass)
Tito Gobbi (Baritone)
Silvio Maionica (Bass)
Giuseppe Di Stefano (Tenor)
Ezio Giordano (Bass)
Maria Callas (Soprano)
Eugenia Ratti (Soprano)
Renato Ercolani (Tenor)
Fedora Barbieri (Mezzo Soprano)
Audio CD (August 19, 1997)
SPARS Code: ADD
Number of Discs: 2
Running time: 2 hr. 11 min.
Mono/Stereo: Mono
Label: EMI Classics
Catalog No: EMI 563202
ASIN: B000002RY4
Release Date: 1997-08-19
UPC Code: 724355632029




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