Verdi: Un ballo in maschera, Muti/MMFO (2-CD)

“This is the Ballo which, above all else, glories in Muti as an exuberant man of the theatre. The impetus with which he whips up the constituent parts of an ensemble into the vortex, and the juxtaposition of blasting tutti with slim, sweetly phrased woodwind detail, so typical of this opera, hits the ear more thrillingly than ever.” — The Gramophone Classical Music Guide (on Riccardo Muti’s 1975 recording of Un ballo in maschera with the New Philharmonia Orchestra)

Renowned Italian conductor Riccardo Muti — known for his personal and compelling interpretations of the music of Giuseppe Verdi — leads a thrilling cast of soloists in Un ballo in maschera, the story of the assassination of Riccardo, Earl of Warwick and governor of Boston, at a masked ball and the supernatural mystery and love story that surrounds it. Richard Tucker sings the lead role of Riccardo alongside Orianna Santunione singing Amelia. Recorded live at the Teatro Comunale di Firenze, January 1974.

Verdi Un ballo in maschera
Riccardo Muti conductor
Richard Tucker Riccardo
Renato Bruson Renato
Orianna Santunione Amelia
Lili Chookasian Ulrica
Valeria Mariconda Oscar
Giorgio Giorgetti Silvano
Ferruccio Mazzoli Samuel
Graziano Del Vivo Tom
Valiano Natali A Judge
Ottavio Taddei Amelia’s Servant
Orchestra & Chorus of the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino
Adolfo Fanfani chorus director
January 1974, Teatro Comunale di Firenze, Florence

Discs: 2
Record Label: Teatro del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino
Release Year: 2019