Un Ballo in Maschera [Original recording remastered]

Verdi (Artist), Gigli (Artist), Caniglia (Artist), Bechi (Artist), Roho (Artist), Serafin (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 9, 2001)
• SPARS Code: ADD
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Original recording remastered
• Label: Angel Records
• ASIN: B00004YU85
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #450,274 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. Act One: Preludio

2. Posa In Pace, A' bei Sogni Ristora

3. S'avanza Il Conte

4. La Rivedra Nell' Estasi

5. Il Cenno Mio Di La Con Essi Attendi

6. Alla Vita Che T'arride

7. Il Primo Giudice

8. Volta La Terrea

9. Ogni Cura Si Doni Ao Diletto

10. Zitti... L'incanto Non Dessi Turbare... Re Dell'abisso, Affrettati

See all 20 tracks on this disc

Disc: 2

1. Preludio

2. Ecco L'orrido Campo Ove S'accoppia

3. Ma Dell'arido Stelo Divulsa

4. Teco Io Sto... Gran Dio!

5. Non Sai Tu Che Se L'anima Mia

6. M'ami, M'ami!.... Oh, Qual Soave Brivido

7. Ahime! S'appressa Alcun!

8. Amico, Gelosa T'affido Una Cura

9. Odi Tu Come Fremono Cupi

10. Seguitemi... Mio Dio!

See all 30 tracks on this disc

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good, idiomatic performance (Some parts are excellent.), August 27, 2010

By 

Philip S. Griffey (Bainbridge I. WA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Un Ballo in Maschera (Audio CD)

It is surprising that this first complete studio recording of Ballo, starring one of the most famous tenors of the XXth century, has gone without a previous review. The recording was made in June of 1943 in Rome with the orchestra and chorus of the Rome Opera. (To put the recording in its historical perspective: The Allied Forces had begun reversing the earlier Axis advances on all fronts. The American/British/Free French forces had captured all of north Africa and were beginning to bomb Sicily and Italy in preparation for the coming invasions - Italy would capitulate to the Allies on Sept. 3rd, although the German forces would continue the fight in Italy until the end of the war. The U.S. Army and Marines were engaged in capturing Guadalcanal in the Pacific; and the Soviet forces were about to deliver a massive defeat to the German forces at Kursk.)

The sound is quite listenable, only slightly inferior to the EMI recording with Callas and the forces of La Scala twelve years later. Tullio Serafin, at age 65, was still very much in control and led a performance that was detailed, lyrical and taut. The Rome Opera Orchestra and Chorus performed with precision and feeling.

Among the singers, it is the 53 year old Beniamino Gigli who is the principal attraction. As always, he sang with gusto, and his beautiful voice was in good condition for this recording. His bad habits of extemporaneous sobs and gulps, and of excessive aspiration and portamento were notable primarily by their relative absence - at least until "Ma se m'e forza perderti" and the last scene. If you don't mind forsaking elegance for enthusiasm, Gigli is a great Ricardo.

Unfortunately Maria Caniglia, who was only 38, sounded considerably older. She still had an attractive voice, but she seemed unable to control it with any certainty. Rhythm was variable, pitch was uncertain, a wide vibrato frequently obtruded and legato was lacking. Interestingly, her lower register was in good shape, it was venturing into the upper register when things would go astray.

The 30 year old Gino Bechi handled the technical aspects of singing well. He had an extended range, his registers were well integrated, and his sense of pitch and rhythm were good. His voice was rich, with a very dark hue. He tended to sing forte rather more than was desirable, and did not phrase with much insight or imagination, therefore his singing could become a little monotonous.

The 23 year old Fedora Barbieri was outstanding. Her large, attractive voice was well under control, her technical skills were excellent, she sang in an idiomatic style, and is the only singer who delivered both drama and a sense of character to their performance.

Eugenia Ribetti sings the irritating role of Oscar rather better than most of the competition. Her voice is slightly hard and brittle in the upper range, but has some softness in the middle range. The veteran Tancredi Pasero is underparted as Sam. The other supporting singers are all better than average.

Overall, a very good, idiomatic performance, not a great one. If you are interested in performances of this opera from the '40's, I would vote for the Met broadcasts of 1940 with Jussi Björling, and a young Zinka Milanov Verdi: Un Ballo in Maschera (also on MYTO 2MCD903.17) or 1944 with Bruno Walter, Jan Peerce, Leonard Warren and Milanov Giuseppe Verdi: Un Ballo in Maschera [New York -- January 15, 1944: Zinka Milanov, Frances Greer, Kerstin Thorborg, Jan Peerce, Leonard Warren, Norman Cordon, Nicola Moscona; Bruno Walter]

4.0 out of 5 stars Great but flawed recording of Ballo, October 28, 2011

By 

mclpcm (NY NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Un Ballo in Maschera (Audio CD)

I agree with the earlier reviewer that it is amazing this fine recording had no previous reviews to his. I agree with the bulk of the earlier review-you are hearing Gigli, one the great voices of the 20th century, in his prime in one of his finest roles and two great singers on their way up. The fly in the ointment is the soprano, Caniglia. One has to feel sorry for the soprano who was interviewed in retirement and said that "Gigli sounded the way he sounded on stage and I did not." If one wants just one recording of this opera, go with the Pavarotti recording, one of his best.