Dive into the captivating world of Gian Carlo Menotti with his compelling double bill of one-act operas, "The Medium" and "The Telephone." Released on April 5, 2011, under the Naxos label, this album offers a unique blend of drama and comedy, showcasing Menotti's versatility as a composer and librettist.
"The Medium," the first opera on this album, is a chilling exploration of spiritualism and deception. The story unfolds through a series of intense, psychologically charged scenes, with each track building upon the last to create a gripping narrative. The opera's haunting melodies and dramatic orchestration make it a standout piece in Menotti's repertoire.
Following "The Medium" is "The Telephone," a delightful comedy that provides a stark contrast to the preceding opera. This lighthearted piece centers around a young woman's infuriating habit of chatting on the telephone, much to the chagrin of her would-be suitor. The opera's witty dialogue and charming music make it a joy to experience.
With a runtime of just under 1 hour and 17 minutes, this album is perfect for those looking to explore the world of opera in a concise yet satisfying format. The performances are conducted by Emanuel Balaban, with the orchestra and cast delivering powerful, nuanced interpretations of Menotti's score. Whether you're a seasoned opera enthusiast or a curious newcomer, this album offers an engaging and enjoyable introduction to the works of Gian Carlo Menotti.
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.
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Gian Carlo Menotti
