VERDI: “UN BALLO IN MASCHERA.” Margaret Price,...

VERDI: “UN BALLO IN MASCHERA.” Margaret Price, Kathleen Battle, Christa Ludwig, Luciano Pavarotti, Renato Bruson, singers; London Opera Chorus and National Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Sir Georg Solti. London 410 210-1 (three records) (digital). An estimable successor to Solti’s already impressive 1960 waxing, but more idiomatically sung and infinitely better recorded than the earlier effort. Solti here belies his reputation for encasing Italian opera in a sheath of ice; his contribution is incisive of attack, flavorful of atmosphere, both lyrically expansive and elegant of manner. These recording sessions (1982-83) found Pavarotti in opulent estate, stowing his tenorissimo mannerisms in favor of a richly detailed characterization and singing that combines silk and honey. Price soars through Amelia’s travails with genuine urgency and grandeur; Battle invests Oscar with unaffected exuberance and adroit coloratura. Bruson’s mellow baritone fails to capitalize on all the histrionic opportunities of the vengeful husband, while Ludwig’s tasteful vocalism fails to plumb the contralto depths of the seeress.