Bayerische Staatsoper, Munich, 1 February 2025

Giuseppe Verdi: Un ballo in maschera

Since its premiere in 2016, Johannes Erath’s production of Verdi’s Un ballo in maschera at the Bavarian State Opera in Munich has received mixed reviews. The production has been noted for its elegant black and white aesthetic, reminiscent of classic 1920s Hollywood films, with a prominent spiral staircase and central bed symbolising the tragic love story. While visually striking, some critics argue that the production favours style over substance, lacking depth in character development and suspense. The production was also released on Blu-ray/DVD on C Major in 2017. Overall, Erath’s production offers a visually arresting experience, but lacks the dramatic depth.

Musically, the production has always been well casted and this season’s version is no exception. Nicole Car is brilliant in the role of Amelia; with her rich and expressive voice – eventhough it does not have that massive volume – and compelling stage presence, she gives the character vocal warmth and emotional depth.  Charles Castronovo presents Riccardo with a sure-footed tenor, but with far too much ‘deep in the throat’ sound and an unnatural way of projecting the voice to make it sound powerful. Ludovic Tezier has a heavy and stable baritone voice, but it lacks a varied timbre and a differentiated expressiveness in the role of Renato. Yulia Matochkina makes a convincing Ulrica with her dark, powerful mezzo.

The great hero of the evening is undoubtedly the Italian conductor Andrea Battistoni. His approach to Verdi’s score is reminiscent of old Italian masters like Gianandrea Gavazzeni, Fernando Previtali and Oliviero de Fabritiis, who knew the Italian operatic craft in a very different way from most others. Battistoni keeps the chorus and orchestra very tight and delivers a fervent and passionate interpretation of the music. He also maintains a clear balance between singers and orchestra throughout the evening.