Immerse yourself in the captivating world of Gian Carlo Menotti's "The Saint of Bleecker Street," a Pulitzer Prize-winning opera that masterfully blends the sacred and the profane. This 2002 release, conducted by Richard Hickox and performed by the Spoleto Festival Orchestra, is a testament to Menotti's unique ability to intertwine religious faith and disbelief in a compelling narrative.
Comprising 32 tracks spread over three acts, this operatic drama delves into the complexities of human belief and doubt. The album, released on the Chandos label, spans nearly two and a half hours, offering a rich and immersive experience. Menotti's libretto and composition work in harmony to create a powerful exploration of the human condition, where the saintly and the mundane coexist in a vivid tapestry of sound and story.
"The Saint of Bleecker Street" is not just an opera; it's a journey through the streets of New York City, where the sacred and the secular collide. The opera's characters, brought to life by a talented cast, navigate the challenges of faith and disbelief in a world that is both familiar and extraordinary. From the hauntingly beautiful arias to the dramatic choruses, each track is a testament to Menotti's genius and his enduring impact on the world of opera.
Whether you're a seasoned opera enthusiast or a newcomer to the genre, "The Saint of Bleecker Street" offers a compelling and engaging experience. The album's rich orchestration and powerful vocals make it a standout in Menotti's discography, showcasing his unique voice and his ability to tell a story that resonates with audiences.
2002 Chandos Records2002 Chandos Records
Tracks
The Saint of Bleecker Street, Act I Scene 1: Introduction - Rosa Mystica (Assunta, A Young Man, Chorus)Gian Carlo Menotti, Richard Hickox, Spoleto Festival Orchestra, Yvonne Howard, Benjamin Harbold, Spoleto Festival Choir
The Saint of Bleecker Street, Act I Scene 1: Well … I'm tired of waiting! (Maria Corona, Assunta, Carmela, A Young Woman, Chorus)Gian Carlo Menotti, Richard Hickox, Spoleto Festival Orchestra, Yvonne Howard, Amelia Farrugia, Sandra Zeltzer, Jennifer Check, Spoleto Festival Choir
The Saint of Bleecker Street, Act I Scene 1: The vision has begun (Don Marco, Chorus)Gian Carlo Menotti, Richard Hickox, Spoleto Festival Orchestra, John Marcus Bindel, Spoleto Festival Choir
The Saint of Bleecker Street, Act I Scene 1: Ah, sweet Jesus, spare me this agony (Annina, Chorus)Gian Carlo Menotti, Richard Hickox, Spoleto Festival Orchestra, Julia Melinek, Spoleto Festival Choir
The Saint of Bleecker Street, Act I Scene 1: Look! The stigmata (Chorus)Gian Carlo Menotti, Richard Hickox, Spoleto Festival Orchestra, Spoleto Festival Choir
The Saint of Bleecker Street, Act I Scene 1: Stop it! (Michele, Carmela, Don Marco, Chorus)Gian Carlo Menotti, Richard Hickox, Spoleto Festival Orchestra, John Marcus Bindel, Sandra Zeltzer, Timothy Richards, Spoleto Festival Choir
The Saint of Bleecker Street, Act I Scene 1: Ah, poor Michele, it is not I your rival (Don Marco)Gian Carlo Menotti, Richard Hickox, Spoleto Festival Orchestra, John Marcus Bindel
The Saint of Bleecker Street, Act I Scene 1: InterludeGian Carlo Menotti, Richard Hickox, Spoleto Festival Orchestra
The Saint of Bleecker Street, Act I Scene 2: Canta ninna, canta nanna al mio bambino (Assunta, Carmela, An Old Woman, Renata, AnniGian Carlo Menotti, Richard Hickox, Spoleto Festival Orchestra, Yvonne Howard, Sandra Zeltzer, Julia Melinek, Heather Lockard, Nejla Hennard, Angel Oramas
The Saint of Bleecker Street, Act I Scene 2: Annina, I've something to confess to you (Carmela, Annina, Assunta)Gian Carlo Menotti, Richard Hickox, Spoleto Festival Orchestra, Yvonne Howard, Sandra Zeltzer, Julia Melinek
The Saint of Bleecker Street, Act I Scene 2: Annina, Annina! (Maria Corona, Assunta, Carmela, Annina, Son of Maria Corona)Gian Carlo Menotti, Richard Hickox, Spoleto Festival Orchestra, Yvonne Howard, Sandra Zeltzer, Julia Melinek, Amelia Farrugia, Riccardo Bartoli
The Saint of Bleecker Street, Act I Scene 2: Michele, Michele! (Annina, Michele)Gian Carlo Menotti, Richard Hickox, Spoleto Festival Orchestra, Julia Melinek, Timothy Richards
The Saint of Bleecker Street, Act I Scene 2: Sister, I shall hide you and take you away (Michele, Annina)Gian Carlo Menotti, Richard Hickox, Spoleto Festival Orchestra, Julia Melinek, Timothy Richards
The Saint of Bleecker Street, Act I Scene 2: Veglia su di noi, Santo del Sangue (Annina, Michele, Chorus)Gian Carlo Menotti, Richard Hickox, Spoleto Festival Orchestra, Julia Melinek, Timothy Richards, Spoleto Festival Choir
The Saint of Bleecker Street, Act II: Introduction - Hai l'occhio nero, nero della quaglia (Michele, Annina, Carmela, Salvatore, AGian Carlo Menotti, Richard Hickox, Spoleto Festival Orchestra, Julia Melinek, Timothy Richards, Sandra Zeltzer, Vitali Roznyko, Mark T. Panuccio, Spoleto Festival Choir
The Saint of Bleecker Street, Act II: Where is Michele? (Desideria, Bartender, Michele)Gian Carlo Menotti, Richard Hickox, Spoleto Festival Orchestra, Timothy Richards, Pamela Helen Stephen, Paul Fogle
The Saint of Bleecker Street, Act II: Eh gia giovinotti voglion stare attorno a te (Desideria, Michele, Chorus)Gian Carlo Menotti, Richard Hickox, Spoleto Festival Orchestra, Timothy Richards, Pamela Helen Stephen, Spoleto Festival Choir
The Saint of Bleecker Street, Act II: Ah, Michele, don't you know that love can turn to hate (Desideria)Gian Carlo Menotti, Richard Hickox, Spoleto Festival Orchestra, Pamela Helen Stephen
The Saint of Bleecker Street, Act II: You will regret it (Michele, Don Marco, Annina, Salvatore, Chorus)Gian Carlo Menotti, Richard Hickox, Spoleto Festival Orchestra, Timothy Richards, Julia Melinek, John Marcus Bindel, Vitali Roznyko, Spoleto Festival Choir
The Saint of Bleecker Street, Act II: I know that you all hate me (Michele)Gian Carlo Menotti, Richard Hickox, Spoleto Festival Orchestra, Timothy Richards
The Saint of Bleecker Street, Act II: You are wrong, Michele (Don Marco, Annina, Michele)Gian Carlo Menotti, Richard Hickox, Spoleto Festival Orchestra, Timothy Richards, Julia Melinek, John Marcus Bindel
The Saint of Bleecker Street, Act II: Yes, Michele, go home, go, go … (Desideria, Michele, Annina, Chorus)Gian Carlo Menotti, Richard Hickox, Spoleto Festival Orchestra, Timothy Richards, Julia Melinek, Pamela Helen Stephen, Spoleto Festival Choir
The Saint of Bleecker Street, Act III Scene 1: Introduction - Stop worrying, Annina (Maria Corona, Annina)Gian Carlo Menotti, Richard Hickox, Spoleto Festival Orchestra, Julia Melinek, Amelia Farrugia
The Saint of Bleecker Street, Act III Scene 1: There she is (Don Marco, Maria Corona, Annina, Michele)Gian Carlo Menotti, Richard Hickox, Spoleto Festival Orchestra, Julia Melinek, Amelia Farrugia, Timothy Richards, John Marcus Bindel
The Saint of Bleecker Street, Act III Scene 1: Weeping, these, for him, are days of weeping (Maria Corona, Annina, Michele)Gian Carlo Menotti, Richard Hickox, Spoleto Festival Orchestra, Julia Melinek, Amelia Farrugia, Timothy Richards
The Saint of Bleecker Street, Act III: InterludeGian Carlo Menotti, Richard Hickox, Spoleto Festival Orchestra
The Saint of Bleecker Street, Act III Scene 2: Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi (Assunta, Annina, Carmela, Chorus)Gian Carlo Menotti, Richard Hickox, Spoleto Festival Orchestra, Julia Melinek, Yvonne Howard, Sandra Zeltzer, Spoleto Festival Choir
The Saint of Bleecker Street, Act III Scene 2: Annina, Annina, prepare yourself for a great joy (Don Marco, Annina, Carmela)Gian Carlo Menotti, Richard Hickox, Spoleto Festival Orchestra, Julia Melinek, Sandra Zeltzer, John Marcus Bindel
The Saint of Bleecker Street, Act III Scene 2: Oh, my Love, at last the hour has come (Annina, Carmela)Gian Carlo Menotti, Richard Hickox, Spoleto Festival Orchestra, Julia Melinek, Sandra Zeltzer
The Saint of Bleecker Street, Act III Scene 2: Maria, Salvatore! (Assunta, Maria Corona, Salvatore, Don Marco, Carmela, Tenor SoloGian Carlo Menotti, Richard Hickox, Spoleto Festival Orchestra, John Marcus Bindel, Yvonne Howard, Amelia Farrugia, Sandra Zeltzer, Vitali Roznyko, Andrew Bidlack
The Saint of Bleecker Street, Act III Scene 2: Gloria tibi Domine in saeculum et in saeculum saeculi (Don Marco, Annina, Chorus)Gian Carlo Menotti, Richard Hickox, Spoleto Festival Orchestra, John Marcus Bindel, Julia Melinek, Spoleto Festival Choir
The Saint of Bleecker Street, Act III Scene 2: Annina, Annina! (Michele, Salvatore, Don Marco, Maria Corona, Carmela, Assunta, ChoGian Carlo Menotti, Richard Hickox, Spoleto Festival Orchestra, John Marcus Bindel, Yvonne Howard, Amelia Farrugia, Sandra Zeltzer, Vitali Roznyko, Spoleto Festival Choir
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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