The Telephone

Album Description

Experience the timeless charm of Gian Carlo Menotti's "The Telephone" in this delightful 2020 recording. Originally composed in 1947, this one-act comic opera is a witty exploration of love and communication, brought to life with a contemporary twist by director Daisy Evans. The opera, also known as "L'Amour à Trois," is a hilarious commentary on the scourge of the telephone, updated for the digital age with references to spam and text messages.

This enchanting production features a stellar cast, including Soraya Mafi as Lucy and Jonathan McGovern as Ben, accompanied by a hand-picked chamber ensemble under the baton of Stuart Stratford. The opera's seven tracks, spanning just over 24 minutes, offer a delightful blend of humor and musical sophistication, making it an ideal introduction to the world of opera for newcomers and a delightful revisit for seasoned opera enthusiasts.

"The Telephone" is a testament to Menotti's genius as a composer and librettist, showcasing his unique ability to blend humor with deep insights into human relationships. The opera's clever libretto and memorable arias, such as "Hello, This Is Lucy" and "Hello? … Hello?," are sure to captivate audiences and leave them eager for an encore. This recording, released by Linn Records, is a faithful representation of the opera's 2020 performance at the International Festival, capturing the energy and wit of the live production.

December 18, 2020

2020 Edinburgh International Festival

2020 Linn Records

About Gian Carlo Menotti

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.