Immerse yourself in the dramatic world of Giuseppe Verdi's "A Masked Ball," a timeless opera that has captivated audiences since its premiere in 1859. This exquisite recording, released by Chandos in 2004, features the London Philharmonic Orchestra and a stellar cast of vocalists, bringing Verdi's masterful composition to life with unparalleled depth and richness.
"Un ballo in maschera," as it is known in its original Italian, is a tale of love, betrayal, and political intrigue set against the backdrop of a lavish masked ball. Verdi's powerful score, paired with Antonio Somma's compelling libretto, creates a gripping narrative that unfolds over three acts, each filled with memorable arias and ensemble pieces. From the haunting preludes to the thrilling finales, every moment is infused with Verdi's distinctive musical genius.
The album spans nearly two hours, offering a comprehensive journey through the opera's intricate plot and character development. Highlights include the stirring "Rest Gustavus, may sweet dreams restore you" and the poignant "When I pluck these dark stems," both showcasing the vocal prowess of the performers. The English translation by Amanda Holden ensures that the opera's profound themes and lyrical beauty are accessible to a wide audience.
Whether you are a seasoned opera enthusiast or a newcomer to the genre, "A Masked Ball" is a quintessential addition to your classical music collection. Experience the passion, drama, and musical brilliance of Giuseppe Verdi's "A Masked Ball," and let the timeless allure of this opera transport you to a world of elegance and intrigue.
Tracks
A Masked Ball, Act I: PreludeGiuseppe Verdi, David Parry, London Philharmonic Orchestra
A Masked Ball, Act I Scene 1: Rest Gustavus, may sweet dreams restore you (Ribbing, Horn, Henchmen, Officers, Gentlemen)Giuseppe Verdi, David Parry, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Christopher Purves, Brindley Sherratt, Geoffrey Mitchell Choir
A Masked Ball, Act I Scene 1: The King approaches (Oscar, Gustavus)Giuseppe Verdi, David Parry, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Dennis O'Neill, Linda Richardson
A Masked Ball, Act I Scene 1: There shall I gaze in ecstasy (Gustavus, Ribbing, Horn, Oscar, Officers, Gentlemen, Henchmen)Giuseppe Verdi, David Parry, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Dennis O'Neill, Linda Richardson, Christopher Purves, Brindley Sherratt, Geoffrey Mitchell Choir
A Masked Ball, Act I Scene 1: Go with the others and wait until I call you (Gustavus, Oscar, Anckarstroem)Giuseppe Verdi, David Parry, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Dennis O'Neill, Linda Richardson, Anthony Michaels-Moore
A Masked Ball, Act I Scene 1: Please reflect upon your duty (Anckarstroem)Giuseppe Verdi, David Parry, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Anthony Michaels-Moore
A Masked Ball, Act I Scene 1: The Lord Chief Justice! (Oscar, Gustavus, Lord Chief Justice)Giuseppe Verdi, David Parry, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Dennis O'Neill, Linda Richardson, Ashley Catling
A Masked Ball, Act I Scene 1: She conjures from afar, thunder and lightning (Oscar, Gustavus, Lord Chief Justice)Giuseppe Verdi, David Parry, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Dennis O'Neill, Linda Richardson, Ashley Catling
A Masked Ball, Act I Scene 1: My friends, will you come with me (Gustavus, Anckarstroem, Oscar, Ribbing, Horn)Giuseppe Verdi, David Parry, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Dennis O'Neill, Linda Richardson, Anthony Michaels-Moore, Christopher Purves, Brindley Sherratt
A Masked Ball, Act I Scene 1: We can all go and see her together (Gustavus, Anckarstroem, Oscar, Ribbing, Horn, Henchmen)Giuseppe Verdi, David Parry, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Dennis O'Neill, Linda Richardson, Anthony Michaels-Moore, Christopher Purves, Brindley Sherratt, Geoffrey Mitchell Choir
A Masked Ball, Act I Scene 2: Quiet … her trance must not be interrupted … (Ulrike, Women, Children)Giuseppe Verdi, David Parry, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Jill Grove, Geoffrey Mitchell Choir
A Masked Ball, Act I Scene 2: I'm first to be here! (Gustavus, Ulrike, Women, Children)Giuseppe Verdi, David Parry, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Jill Grove, Dennis O'Neill, Geoffrey Mitchell Choir
A Masked Ball, Act I Scene 2: Allow me to enter (Cristian, Ulrike, Gustavus)Giuseppe Verdi, David Parry, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Jill Grove, Dennis O'Neill, Roland Wood
A Masked Ball, Act I Scene 2: You can rest assured (Ulrike, Cristian, Gustavus,Women, Servant)Giuseppe Verdi, David Parry, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Jill Grove, Dennis O'Neill, Roland Wood, Ashley Catling, Geoffrey Mitchell Choir
A Masked Ball, Act I Scene 2: What brings you here to me? (Ulrike, Amelia, Gustavus)Giuseppe Verdi, David Parry, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Jill Grove, Dennis O'Neill, Susan Patterson
A Masked Ball, Act I Scene 2: Step out towards the sunset (Ulrike, Amelia, Gustavus)Giuseppe Verdi, David Parry, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Jill Grove, Dennis O'Neill, Susan Patterson
A Masked Ball, Act I Scene 2: Oh, help me, God in heaven (Amelia, Ulrike, Gustavus, Voices)Giuseppe Verdi, David Parry, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Jill Grove, Dennis O'Neill, Susan Patterson, Geoffrey Mitchell Choir
A Masked Ball, Act I Scene 2: Rise, great enchantress, speak to us all (Ribbing, Horn, Oscar, Gustavus, Men)Giuseppe Verdi, David Parry, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Dennis O'Neill, Linda Richardson, Christopher Purves, Brindley Sherratt, Geoffrey Mitchell Choir
A Masked Ball, Act I Scene 2: Do you see the furious billows abating (Gustavus, Oscar, Chorus)Giuseppe Verdi, David Parry, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Dennis O'Neill, Linda Richardson, Geoffrey Mitchell Choir
A Masked Ball, Act I Scene 2: Reckless stranger, your words are defiant (Ulrike, Gustavus, Ribbing, Oscar)Giuseppe Verdi, David Parry, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Dennis O'Neill, Linda Richardson, Jill Grove, Christopher Purves
A Masked Ball, Act I Scene 2: Her crazy crystal-gazing (Gustavus, Ulrike, Ribbing, Horn, Oscar, Chorus)Giuseppe Verdi, David Parry, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Dennis O'Neill, Linda Richardson, Christopher Purves, Brindley Sherratt, Jill Grove, Geoffrey Mitchell Choir
A Masked Ball, Act I Scene 2: One thing you've yet to tell me (Gustavus, Ulrike, Oscar, Ribbing, Horn, Anckarstroem, Cristian, ChoGiuseppe Verdi, David Parry, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Dennis O'Neill, Linda Richardson, Christopher Purves, Brindley Sherratt, Jill Grove, Anthony Michaels-Moore
A Masked Ball, Act II: PreludeGiuseppe Verdi, David Parry, London Philharmonic Orchestra
A Masked Ball, Act II: Here I am in this place of retribution (Amelia)Giuseppe Verdi, David Parry, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Susan Patterson
A Masked Ball, Act II: When I pluck these dark stems (Amelia)Giuseppe Verdi, David Parry, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Susan Patterson
A Masked Ball, Act II: Here at last (Gustavus, Amelia)Giuseppe Verdi, David Parry, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Susan Patterson, Dennis O'Neill
A Masked Ball, Act II: You must know that I too have been aching (Gustavus, Amelia)Giuseppe Verdi, David Parry, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Susan Patterson, Dennis O'Neill
A Masked Ball, Act II: The sweetest words I ever heard (Gustavus, Amelia)Giuseppe Verdi, David Parry, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Susan Patterson, Dennis O'Neill
A Masked Ball, Act II: Oh God! Someone is here! (Amelia, Gustavus, Anckarstroem)Giuseppe Verdi, David Parry, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Susan Patterson, Dennis O'Neill, Anthony Michaels-Moore
A Masked Ball, Act II: My friend, I ask you a personal favour (Gustavus, Anckarstroem)Giuseppe Verdi, David Parry, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Dennis O'Neill, Anthony Michaels-Moore
A Masked Ball, Act II: Do you hear how the menacing voices (Amelia, Anckarstroem, Gustavus)Giuseppe Verdi, David Parry, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Susan Patterson, Dennis O'Neill, Anthony Michaels-Moore
A Masked Ball, Act II: Stay close to me (Anckarstroem, Amelia, Ribbing, Horn, Conspirators)Giuseppe Verdi, David Parry, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Susan Patterson, Anthony Michaels-Moore, Christopher Purves, Brindley Sherratt, Geoffrey Mitchell Choir
A Masked Ball, Act II: We interrupt their stolen kisses (Ribbing, Horn, Anckarstroem, Amelia, Conspirators)Giuseppe Verdi, David Parry, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Susan Patterson, Anthony Michaels-Moore, Christopher Purves, Brindley Sherratt, Geoffrey Mitchell Choir
A Masked Ball, Act III Scene 1: Your offence is not forgiven (Anckarstroem, Amelia)Giuseppe Verdi, David Parry, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Susan Patterson, Anthony Michaels-Moore
A Masked Ball, Act III Scene 1: I go, but in compassion (Amelia, Anckarstroem)Giuseppe Verdi, David Parry, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Susan Patterson, Anthony Michaels-Moore
A Masked Ball, Act III Scene 1: Stand up! I permit you to see your son (Anckarstroem)Giuseppe Verdi, David Parry, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Anthony Michaels-Moore
A Masked Ball, Act III Scene 1: Shame on you, who defiled my beloved (Anckarstroem)Giuseppe Verdi, David Parry, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Anthony Michaels-Moore
A Masked Ball, Act III Scene 1: We are gathered. Now hear me (Anckarstroem)Giuseppe Verdi, David Parry, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Anthony Michaels-Moore
A Masked Ball, Act III Scene 1: I'm with you (Anckarstroem, Ribbing, Horn)Giuseppe Verdi, David Parry, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Anthony Michaels-Moore, Christopher Purves, Brindley Sherratt
A Masked Ball, Act III Scene 1: Let us all by our shame be united (Anckarstroem, Ribbing, Horn)Giuseppe Verdi, David Parry, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Anthony Michaels-Moore, Christopher Purves, Brindley Sherratt
A Masked Ball, Act III Scene 1: One indulgence I ask of you (Anckarstroem, Ribbing, Horn, Amelia)Giuseppe Verdi, David Parry, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Anthony Michaels-Moore, Christopher Purves, Brindley Sherratt, Susan Patterson
A Masked Ball, Act III Scene 1: So which name has been chosen? (Anckarstroem, Ribbing, Amelia, Horn)Giuseppe Verdi, David Parry, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Anthony Michaels-Moore, Christopher Purves, Brindley Sherratt, Susan Patterson
A Masked Ball, Act III Scene 1: Now Oscar may enter (Anckarstroem, Oscar, Amelia, Ribbing, Horn)Giuseppe Verdi, David Parry, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Anthony Michaels-Moore, Christopher Purves, Brindley Sherratt, Susan Patterson, Linda Richardson
A Masked Ball, Act III Scene 1: Ah! I know that something wonderful (Oscar, Amelia, Anckarstroem, Ribbing, Horn)Giuseppe Verdi, David Parry, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Anthony Michaels-Moore, Christopher Purves, Brindley Sherratt, Susan Patterson, Linda Richardson
A Masked Ball, Act III Scene 2: Perhaps she is safely home now (Gustavus)Giuseppe Verdi, David Parry, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Dennis O'Neill
A Masked Ball, Act III Scene 2: But if your light is lost to me (Gustavus)Giuseppe Verdi, David Parry, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Dennis O'Neill
A Masked Ball, Act III Scene 2: Ah! She is there. How can I see her (Gustavus, Oscar)Giuseppe Verdi, David Parry, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Dennis O'Neill, Linda Richardson
A Masked Ball, Act III Scene 3: The hall is filled with laughter (Ribbing, Anckarstroem, Horn, Oscar, Chorus)Giuseppe Verdi, David Parry, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Anthony Michaels-Moore, Christopher Purves, Brindley Sherratt, Linda Richardson, Geoffrey Mitchell Choir
A Masked Ball, Act III Scene 3: Why are you caring? (Oscar)Giuseppe Verdi, David Parry, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Linda Richardson
A Masked Ball, Act III Scene 3: The hall is filled with laughter (Anckarstroem, Oscar, Chorus)Giuseppe Verdi, David Parry, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Linda Richardson, Anthony Michaels-Moore, Geoffrey Mitchell Choir
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