Experience the timeless brilliance of Gian Carlo Menotti with this captivating double bill of his one-act operas, "The Medium" and "The Telephone." Released on April 5, 2011, by Naxos, this album is a testament to Menotti's enduring legacy in the world of opera. The album is a collection of two of his most celebrated works, each offering a unique exploration of human nature and societal norms.
"The Medium," first premiered in 1946, is a gripping tale of spiritualism and deception. The opera delves into the life of Madame Flora, a fraudulent medium who exploits the grief of her clients. With its intricate plot and powerful characters, "The Medium" showcases Menotti's mastery of dramatic storytelling. The opera is presented in two acts, each filled with suspense and psychological depth.
"The Telephone," premiered in 1947, provides a stark contrast to "The Medium." This comedic opera explores the challenges of modern communication, focusing on a young couple whose date is continually interrupted by telephone calls. Menotti's wit and insight into human behavior shine through in this lighthearted and relatable narrative.
The album features a stellar cast of performers, accompanied by a studio orchestra, bringing Menotti's compositions to life with vivid clarity. The performances reflect the impact Menotti's works had at the time of their premieres, offering a glimpse into the innovative spirit of 20th-century opera.
With a duration of 1 hour and 17 minutes, this album is a perfect introduction to Menotti's operatic genius. Whether you are a seasoned opera enthusiast or a newcomer to the genre, this collection of Menotti's works is sure to captivate and inspire. The album's rich orchestration and compelling narratives make it a valuable addition to any classical music collection.
2011 Naxos2011 Naxos
Tracks
The Medium, Act I: IntroductionGian Carlo Menotti, Evelyn Keller, Marie Powers, Beverly Dame, Frank Rogier, Catherine Mastice, Emanuel Balaban
The Medium, Act I: Where, oh, where (Monica)Gian Carlo Menotti, Evelyn Keller, Marie Powers, Beverly Dame, Frank Rogier, Catherine Mastice, Emanuel Balaban
The Medium, Act I: How many times I've told you not to touch my things! (Baba, Monica)Gian Carlo Menotti, Evelyn Keller, Marie Powers, Beverly Dame, Frank Rogier, Catherine Mastice, Emanuel Balaban
The Medium, Act I: Good evening, Madame Flora (Mrs. Gobineau, Mr. Gobineau, Baba, Mrs. Nolan)Gian Carlo Menotti, Evelyn Keller, Marie Powers, Beverly Dame, Frank Rogier, Catherine Mastice, Emanuel Balaban
The Medium, Act I: It happened long ago (Mrs. Gobineau, Mr. Gobineau, Baba)Gian Carlo Menotti, Evelyn Keller, Marie Powers, Beverly Dame, Frank Rogier, Catherine Mastice, Emanuel Balaban
The Medium, Act I: You must be very silent (Mr. Gobineau, Baba, Monica, Mrs. Nolan)Gian Carlo Menotti, Evelyn Keller, Marie Powers, Beverly Dame, Frank Rogier, Catherine Mastice, Emanuel Balaban
The Medium, Act I: Mother, mother, Are you there? (Monica, Mr. Gobineau, Mrs. Nolan, Mrs. Gobineau)Gian Carlo Menotti, Evelyn Keller, Marie Powers, Beverly Dame, Frank Rogier, Catherine Mastice, Emanuel Balaban
The Medium, Act I: What Is It? Who Is It? (Baba, Mr. Gobineau, Mrs. Gobineau, Mrs. Nolan)Gian Carlo Menotti, Evelyn Keller, Marie Powers, Beverly Dame, Frank Rogier, Catherine Mastice, Emanuel Balaban
The Medium, Act I: Baba, what has happened? (Monica, Baba)Gian Carlo Menotti, Evelyn Keller, Marie Powers, Beverly Dame, Frank Rogier, Catherine Mastice, Emanuel Balaban
The Medium, Act I: The sun has fallen and It lies in blood (Monica, Baba)Gian Carlo Menotti, Evelyn Keller, Marie Powers, Beverly Dame, Frank Rogier, Catherine Mastice, Emanuel Balaban
The Medium, Act II: IntroductionGian Carlo Menotti, Evelyn Keller, Marie Powers, Beverly Dame, Frank Rogier, Catherine Mastice, Emanuel Balaban
The Medium, Act II: Bravo! (Monica)Gian Carlo Menotti, Evelyn Keller, Marie Powers, Beverly Dame, Frank Rogier, Catherine Mastice, Emanuel Balaban
The Medium, Act II: Monica, Monica, can't you see (Monica)Gian Carlo Menotti, Evelyn Keller, Marie Powers, Beverly Dame, Frank Rogier, Catherine Mastice, Emanuel Balaban
The Medium, Act II: Where Is Monica? (Baba)Gian Carlo Menotti, Evelyn Keller, Marie Powers, Beverly Dame, Frank Rogier, Catherine Mastice, Emanuel Balaban
The Medium, Act II: Good evening, Madame Flora (Mrs. Gobineau, Mrs. Nolan, Mr. Gobineau, Monica)Gian Carlo Menotti, Evelyn Keller, Marie Powers, Beverly Dame, Frank Rogier, Catherine Mastice, Emanuel Balaban
The Medium, Act II: Don't stand there like a fool! (Baba, a Voice)Gian Carlo Menotti, Evelyn Keller, Marie Powers, Beverly Dame, Frank Rogier, Catherine Mastice, Emanuel Balaban
The Medium, Act II: Afraid, am I afraid? (Baba)Gian Carlo Menotti, Evelyn Keller, Marie Powers, Beverly Dame, Frank Rogier, Catherine Mastice, Emanuel Balaban
The Medium, Act II: Who's there? Who's there? (Baba, Monica)Gian Carlo Menotti, Evelyn Keller, Marie Powers, Beverly Dame, Frank Rogier, Catherine Mastice, Emanuel Balaban
The Telephone: IntroductionGian Carlo Menotti, Marilyn Cotlow, Frank Rogier, Emanuel Balaban
The Telephone: Oh! Just what I wanted (Lucy, Ben)Gian Carlo Menotti, Marilyn Cotlow, Frank Rogier, Emanuel Balaban
The Telephone: That was Margaret (Lucy, Ben)Gian Carlo Menotti, Marilyn Cotlow, Frank Rogier, Emanuel Balaban
The Telephone: It Is four-fifteen (Lucy, Ben)Gian Carlo Menotti, Marilyn Cotlow, Frank Rogier, Emanuel Balaban
The Telephone: Try again and again (Ben, Lucy)Gian Carlo Menotti, Marilyn Cotlow, Frank Rogier, Emanuel Balaban
The Telephone: Hello, This Is Lucy (Lucy, Ben)Gian Carlo Menotti, Marilyn Cotlow, Frank Rogier, Emanuel Balaban
The Telephone: Hello? … Hello? (Lucy, Ben)Gian Carlo Menotti, Marilyn Cotlow, Frank Rogier, Emanuel Balaban
Gian Carlo Menotti, the prolific Italian-American composer, is renowned for his significant contributions to the world of opera, with a repertoire of 25 captivating works. Primarily active in the mid-20th century, Menotti's operas are celebrated for their expressive lyricism and dramatic intensity, making him one of the most frequently performed opera composers of his time. Influenced by the likes of Giacomo Puccini and Modest Mussorgsky, Menotti's compositions are deeply rooted in the verismo tradition, emphasizing natural rhythms and textual clarity to enhance the dramatic narrative. His rejection of atonality and the Second Viennese School's aesthetic further solidifies his unique voice in the opera world. Menotti's works, particularly those from the 1940s and 1950s, continue to captivate audiences with their emotional depth and musical richness.
Vinylscout
Gian Carlo Menotti
