Description
Book SynopsisSee how the drama is turned into laughter, comment the chorus, as they witness the destruction of a marriage and a friendship. Here Pierluigi Petrobelli shows how the irony woven into the tragedy results from the meeting of French and Italian traditions. Is this really a ridiculous libretto mangled by censorship, or is it Verdi's finest achievement, with its perfectly symmetrical drama and beautiful variety? Benedict Sarnaker analyses the extended love duet the kernel of the score, and the pivot of the action. Harold Powers looks at the laughing chorus and at the quicksilver character of Oscar, unique in Verdi's work.Contents: Introduction, Nicholas John; A Fusion of Styles, Pierluigi Petrobelli; A King Restored: Structure and Music in A Masked Ball', Benedict Sarnaker; The Laughing Chorus' in Contexts, Harold Powers; Un ballo in maschera: Libretto by Antonio Somma; A Masked Ball: English translation by Edmund Tracey
Trade ReviewBrilliantly produced and superb value.' * Sunday Times * All these will provide the new opera-goer with food for thought.' * Daily Telegraph * Wholehearted recommendation of this valuable new series.' * TLS *
