One of the troubles of being a major institution like the Met is that when they produce a new production of a major opera and Verdi’s UN BALLO IN MASCHERA, which opened in revival the other night, certainly falls into that category it’s an expensive undertaking. It's true that sometimes a production can be pulled out of its death tumble, with a new cast or simply time making the absolutely awful suddenly make sense. In the case of the current run of the opera, with Angela Meade, Charles Castronovo and Quinn Kelsey heading the cast, even good and sometimes inspired singing can’t save the day. Alden’s take is simply too laden with concept for it to breathe.