Verdi: Un Ballo in Maschera [New York -- December 14, 1940; Zinka Milanov, Jussi Bjorling (Bjoerling), Alexander Sved, Bruna Castagna, Stella Andreva; Ettore Panizza] 2008 Remastering on Myto Historical from a newly discovered source; Includes narration by Milton Cross
![Verdi: Un Ballo in Maschera [New York -- December 14, 1940; Zinka Milanov, Jussi Bjorling (Bjoerling), Alexander Sved, Bruna Castagna, Stella Andreva; Ettore Panizza] 2008 Remastering on Myto Historical from a newly discovered source; Includes narration by Milton Cross](/images/Verdi-Un-Ballo-in-Maschera-New-York-December-14-1940-Zinka-Milanov-Jussi-Bjorling-Bjoerling-Alexander-Sved-Bruna-Castagna-Stella-Andreva-Ettore-Panizz-B001CELAXE-L.jpg)
Our Price: $27.95
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Category: Music CD
See more new music releases
Buy this Music CD at online store in your country
Canadian Music Store
Canadian Music Store
Music CD Cover
Composer: Giuseppe VerdiConductor: Ettore Panizza
Performer: Zinka Milanov
Edition: Music CD
Audio: Italian (Unknown)
Format: Import
Published: 2008
Music Label: Myto Historical
Free Music Notes for Verdi: Un Ballo in Maschera [New York -- December 14, 1940; Zinka Milanov, Jussi Bjorling (Bjoerling), Alexander Sved, Bruna Castagna, Stella Andreva; Ettore Panizza] 2008 Remastering on Myto Historical from a newly discovered source; Includes narration by Milton Cross
Free Music Review: Historic performance, great voices, journeyman conducting
Hit: 4 Stars
This opening night broadcast of 1940 was the first Met performance of Ballo since the 1913 revival (which had featured Caruso, Destinn, Hempel, Amato, Matzenauer, Rothier and De Segurola under the baton of Toscanini.) It was also Björling's Met broadcast debut and his only broadcast appearance with Milanov (substituting for the scheduled Stella Roman, who had been delayed by the difficulties of war-time trans-Atlantic Ocean travel).
Not surprisingly, it is the 29 year old Björling and the 34 year old Milanov who are the stars of this performance. Björling's élan and elegant phrasing, combined with his voice's plangent timbre, portray a Riccardo with more gravitas and substance than Gigli's and di Stefano's beautiful, but somewhat languid, efforts. Björling's Count is more Manrico, less Duke of Mantua.
The technical flaws (excessive portamenti, uncertain pitch, unsteady tone, lack of control) that would bedevil Milanov's later career are in evidence here, but to a much lesser extent; and her virtues (floating pianissimi, elegant crescendi, a rich, plush voice with an excellent range, and an exciting delivery) are considerably enhanced by the freshness of youth. Her singing here ranks with her Rigoletto Act IV under Toscanini Rigoletto / Mefistofele (Boito) as her best recorded performance.
Alexander Sved (also 34 years old) had a deep, dark voice resembling Titta Ruffo's, Although he had studied with both Ruffo and Sammarco, he comes across as a rather crude, blustering and snarly "robusto" baritone with excessive aspiration.
Bruna Castagna sings very well, but lacks the requisite vocal size and texture to succeed at conveying the rough and melodramatic fortune teller, Ulrica. Oscar (Stella Andreva), Sam & Tom (Moscona & Cordon) and the supporting singers are all slightly better than average.
The conductor, Ettore Panizza, keeps things churning along, but doesn't seem to be able to stir up much excitement or elicit much beauty from the score. His flaccid leadership gives the whole performance the air of a dress rehearsal - much inferior to the contemporaneous recordings led by Tullio Serafin Un Ballo in Maschera and Bruno Walter 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]. The audio quality is good for the period and the source.
Riccardo's beautiful Act 3 aria, "Ma se m'e forza perderti" is inexplicably cut. As compensation MYTO (in its previous mastering- 2MCD903.17) included some beautifully sung excerpts by Björling from a performance of Il Trovatore (Jan. 11, 1941). Unfortunately his colleagues (Norina Greco as Leonora and Bruna Castagna as Azucena) are on a considerably lower plane. Also included is an even more beautifully sung "Ingemisco" from the Requeim, recorded in very good sound in 1938 (probably in Sweeden). I have not heard this re-mastered version, so I don't know if these extra pieces are included here.
Verdi: Un Ballo in Maschera [New York -- December 14, 1940; Zinka Milanov, Jussi Bjorling (Bjoerling), Alexander Sved, Bruna Castagna, Stella Andreva; Ettore Panizza] 2008 Remastering on Myto Historical from a newly discovered source; Includes narration by Milton Cross Poster
On Myto Historical 00008; 2 CD's; The legendary 1940 revival of "Un Ballo in Maschera" with the young Milanov and Bjorling in magnificent, rich voice; Castagna is an eerie, firm Ulrica, and Sved a strong Renato. Andreva is a perky, full voiced Oscar, while Panizza urges this live performance onward. A classic which belongs in all collections!!! Myto has remastered this performance from a new source, making this the best sounding version available. As well, this release includes the original broadcast narration by the inimitable Milton Cross.Styles Music CDs
Music Genres
Top music charts in Styles Music CDs
Madeline and the Easter BonnetDVD
Best price: $1.42
Smith Michael W - CD StandMusic CD
Best price: $11.97
Wickham Phil - CD Phil WickhamMusic CD
Newsong - CD Very Best Of NewsongMusic CD
O'Donnell Daniel - CD Faith & InspirationMusic CD
Best price: $15.98
Mercy Me - I Can Only ImagineMusic CD
Casting Crowns - Who Am I (Mastertrax)Music CD
Cedarmont Kids - CD Cedarmont Baby/ Loving LullabiesMusic CD
Best price: $3.99
Michael Palin - Full Circle: a Pacific Journey With Michael PalinRelease date: 2003-08-11; Music CD
Best price: $32.80
Price in other shops:
Top Rated Albums
![Verdi: Otello (New York -- February 12, 1938; Elisabeth Rethberg, Giovanni Martinelli, Lawrence Tibbett, Nicholas Massue, George Cehanovsky, Nicola Moscona, Thelma Votipka; Ettore Panizza) [Remastered By Ward Marston on Naxos Historical] Image](/images/Verdi-Otello-New-York-February-12-1938-Elisabeth-Rethberg-Giovanni-Martinelli-Lawrence-Tibbett-Nicholas-Massue-George-Cehanovsky-Nicola-Moscona-Thelma-B000A6L9IG-X.jpg)
Verdi: Otello (New York -- February 12, 1938; Elisabeth Rethberg, Giovanni Martinelli, Lawrence Tibbett, Nicholas Massue, George Cehanovsky, Nicola Moscona, Thelma Votipka; Ettore Panizza) [Remastered By Ward Marston on Naxos Historical]Published: 2005; Music CD
Best price: $26.00
Nello Santi - Leoncavallo: Pagliacci / Mascagni: Cavalleria Rusticana (Metropolitan Opera)Release date: 2012-01-17; Music CD
Best price: $8.64
Price in other shops: