Verdi
Pout-Pourri sull'opera
Un Ballo in Maschera
ADD 12, PP.51.4
From the simple instrumentation, this is a piece from the years in Piacenza (1861-1864). The source is an autograph score whose many details in regard to notation mark it as being likely from the earliest part of Ponchielli's career, i.e., early in his work with copyist Francesco Belforti, a partnership that would last 12 years.
There are other marks of this being an early score, namely the use of a solo clarinet as an unaccompanied solo in the opening measures of the piece. Later, such solos would be always taken by a cornet.
The Cremona concert dates are very difficult to document as the title never actually is listed, per se until 1872, when Ponchielli may have already withdrawn from actively conducting the band. Instead, there is reference to excerpts from the first act of Maschera that likely are the intended identification, and those are given here.
Date on score: None given
Performances: Sunday, September 22, 1866, Piazza Cavour; Sunday, October 21, 1866, ????; Monday, May 5, 1868, Piazza Cavour; Saturday, June 1, 1868, Baluardo del passeggio pubblico; Friday, November 22, 1868, Piazza Garibaldi; Thursday, June 17, 1869, PC; Saturday, July 17, 1869, PC; Sunday, August 8, 1869, Passeggio pubblico; Sunday, October 31, Piazza Garibaldi; Thursday, August 11, 1870, PG; Sunday, June 18, PP; Sunday June 25, PP; Thursday, June 29, sull'area della chiesa demolita di San Domenico; Thursday, September 14, PG; Thursday, June 20, 1872, Piazza Roma; Friday, December 8, 1872, PC; Sunday, July 27, 1873, PP; Sunday, March 22, Piazza Roma.