Masked Ball
CHAN 3116
The Guardian
‘Here in David Parry’s lively reading of A Masked Ball, using Amanda Holden’s crisp translation... the witty finale to act one irresistibly echoes Offenbach, though again the complications of the plot are wonderfully clarified thanks to the clear diction of the soloists.’
Melodramma in three acts
Libretto by Antonio Somma
English translation by Amanda Holden
The Cast
Dennis O'Neill, tenor - Gustavus, King of Sweden
Anthony Michaels-Moore, baritone
- Count Anckarstroem
Susan Patterson, soprano - Amelia
Jill Grove, mezzo-soprano - Ulrike Arvidson
Linda Richardson, soprano - Oscar
Christopher Purves, baritone - Count Ribbing
Brindley Sherratt, bass - Count Horn
Roland Wood, baritone (PMF Scholar) - Cristian
Ashley Catling, tenor - Amelia's Servant
and Lord Chief Justice

Geoffrey Mitchell Choir
London Philharmonic Orchestra
David Parry - conductor
Recorded in Blackheath Halls, London 10, 11, 13, 14 & 15 July 2003
Producer - Brian Couzens, Sound Engineer - Ralph Couzens, Assistant Engineer - Michael Common
Gramophone
‘David Parry offers just about his most successful reading to date in this series. He has a true feeling for the music's ebb and flow, and judges his tempi well, obtaining vital and detailed playing from the LPO, so that the tragedy moves inevitably to its climax. The stature of the piece (here in its Swedish version) is boldly proclaimed.

The supporting material is, as ever, admirable and Amanda Holden's translation is well-constructed and easy to sing.’