Medium / the Telephone

Gian-Carlo Menotti (1911-2007) was a child prodigy, writing his first operas at the age of 11 on tales by Hans Christian Andersen. At the age of 17 he and his family went to the USA, where Toscanini obtained a place at Curtis Institute for the young composer. He teamed up with Samuel Barber, who became his musical and life partner.

Menotti's American operas were met with great public success. This new production presents his two short operas, which are often performed together: The Medium and The Telephone, the first highly dramatic, the latter a comic opera. Menotti wrote the libretto for both operas himself. Menotti's musical language is eclectic, influenced as it is by Puccini, Mussorgsky, Debussy and Stravinsky. The different styles have a fluent eloquence and naturalness, and are highly effective, as is to be expected from a theatre man pur sang. The performances are by Italian vocal soloists, the Orchestra Filarmonica Italiana is conducted by Flavio Emilio Scogna.