Next month Opera Australia is doing Un ballo in maschera. With the exception of an aria or two, this is an opera with which I am not at all familiar. And so I ask you, dear readers, for advice.
Which recording of Un ballo in maschera would you recommend to a Ballo-beginner such as myself?
Preferably something still in print and reasonably priced — though all suggestions will be considered — and at the risk of being yelled at/politely admonished, there's not much point recommending me the Maria Callas recording of anything. At least not in this kind of situation.
As I say, all suggestions considered. However, having paid a quick visit to Premiere Opera, I have a second, more specific question which is perhaps more to the point:
Do I want the live 1978 Ballo from Covent Garden with Sylvia Sass, José Carreras et al, or the live 1981 Ballo from Covent Garden with Montserrat Caballé, Luciano Pavarotti et al?
My immediate leaning is towards the 1981 recording, but what do I know?
Advise away.
1975 from Covent Garden!
Posted by: Gert | Monday, January 21, 2008 at 12:19 AM
Not sure if it's available on DVD (I've seen it on television), but it would be worth investigating the Bregenz Festival production from 1999/2000, conducted by the late Marcello Viotti. (I can't recall which of the casts was televised.)
This particular Bregenz production added to the usual spectacle of the Bodensee/Lake Constance lake-side staging with the dramatic gesture of a skeleton presiding over the proceedings. (Sorry, that's not a very musical turn of phrase.) And the stage itself was like an open book of dance notation. There's a photo here:
http://medianotes.com/opera/english/premieres/1999/premiere_bregenz_1999_in_english.htm
As stunning an effect as this is, it is of course the least of the reasons to try and unearth this performance. But my fear is that it hasn't been commercially released.
Posted by: Thomasina | Monday, January 21, 2008 at 12:34 AM
Tucker/Callas/Barbieri/Serafin (EMI)
Gigli/Caniglia/Barbieri/Serafin (Naxos, its good for a 1940s 78rpm opera)
Domingo/Price/Arroyo(I think)/Schippers (RCA) is OK too
Posted by: bardassa | Monday, January 21, 2008 at 02:00 PM
I know you don't want Callas ... but if you wan't to hear the graveyard scene should go then you don't have much choice.
PS check out the Ball that Opera Chick just saw
http://operachic.typepad.com/opera_chic/2008/01/hell-is-white-u.html
Posted by: bardassa | Monday, January 21, 2008 at 02:07 PM
I don't have other recordings for comparison, but I've been very pleased with the Decca album with Pavarotti, Margaret Price, Renato Bruson, Christa Ludwig. Solti conducts. (I've read that Price was another great singer of years past who we regretably don't have on enough recordings.)
Posted by: Clayton Koonce | Tuesday, January 22, 2008 at 01:21 AM
The Bregenz production on the lake is certainly interesting to watch - also has Elizabeth Whitehouse in the cast.
Posted by: Margaret | Wednesday, January 23, 2008 at 04:10 PM
You really want to get the RCA recording with Leontyne Price and Carlo Bergonzi, with Verrett and Grist. It is a revelation.
On a different note -- just wanted to say I've been reading your blog for some time and enjoy it immensely. I've even been inspired to listen to some Yvonne!!
Posted by: jw | Saturday, January 26, 2008 at 01:40 PM