The Medium: Vocal Score

By: Menotti, Gian-Carlo

Book Overview

(Vocal Score). French/English.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0793515467
• ISBN13: 9780793515462
• Release Date: August 1970
• Publisher: Hal Leonard LLC
• Length: 126 Pages
• Weight: 0.67 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 7.5" x 10.8"

Customer Reviews

Medium - a large success

Menotti's first successful opera was "Amelia goes to the Ball" (a work I performed in this spring as the inspector). His first stage success on Broadway was "The Medium." It enjoyed over 200 performances - by far the most of any contemporary opera on the American stage. The work is very intense and requires vocal agility and dramatic acting from the two main characters. Although there are lighter moments for Monica, Madame Flora is a wonderful chance for the contralto to show her true dramatic range. The music is in the neo-classicist vein of the early 40's. It uses many expressionist elements with wide leaps and sudden changes. The orchestration is bare and stark using woodwinds and string quintet. In some ways it is like the "Pelleas and Melisande" of Debussy and "Bluebeard's Castle" by Bartok. The voice frequently stays in a narrow range while the orchestra provides expression. The "Medium" is a very accessible opera for smaller theatrical groups. It does not require extensive sets or chorus. The "Telephone" by Menotti has traditionally been used as a curtain raiser for the longer work.