Gian Carlo Menotti

Gian Carlo Menotti is frequently considered to be the greatest composer of American opera in the twentieth century. The Missa O Pulchritudo uses the Roman Catholic text for the Mass except for the Credo which is replaced by a Motet based on the words of St. Augustine. There is some occasional part-splitting in the chorus. This is the Schirmer Edition of the vocal score and includes a Piano reduction of the orchestral accompaniment. (These orchestral parts are available on rental from G. Schirmer).

This work for baritone mixed chorus and orchestra was first performed in the Kennedy Center Washington in 1991. It is based on text from The Ascent of Mount Carmel by St. John of the Cross. This is the choral score of thework with a piano reduction of the orchestral part for rehearsal.

'The Consul' was a phenomenally successfull opera dealing with 20th century issues. It is set in a totalitarian state in which John Sorel is a political dissident fighting for a democratic government. The secret police force himto leave the country and Magda his wife must obtain a visa to leave the country and join him. Insurmountable bureaucracy causes frustrating delays at the consulate. During the ensuing months Magda's baby and mother-in-law dieand she learns that her husband is returning to take Magda with him. Magda knowing that her husband will be captured if he returns writes a note to him stating that she is going to kill herself so he does not need to die. As shecommits suicide by gas inhalation in her home John enters the consulate and is apprehended by the police. The Libretto (by Menotti himself) is in English only.

Menotti's 'The Medium' is something of a cautionary tale which had its genesis in a séance attended by the composer himself. The plot of the libretto (by Menotti himself) runs as follows: Living in conditions of near-squalor Baba poses as a medium with her daughter Monica posing as ghosts from the beyond. She takes in Toby a mute as a lodger but distrusts him. The business continues until during a séance she feels a 'cold hand' tightening abouther throat. When her customers return for another session she tells them that she is a fake and demonstrates her tricks but her clients protest that she must be real that it was not Monica's voice they heard. She drives themout and resolves to cast out Toby as well. When Toby returns she shoots and inadvertently kills him. At the conclusion she still wonders if it had been Toby. This Libretto is in English only.

The first opera written for television 'Amahl and the Night Visitors' has become the most frequently performed opera of all time with over five hundred performances annually across the world. Menotti's take on theChristmas story focuses on Amahl a young handicapped boy and his mother who are visited by three Kings -- Balthazar Melchior and Kaspar -- who are on their way to find Jesus. The Kings stay the night during which Amahl'smother tries to steal some of the Kings' gold and is caught in the act. Melchior suggests that she keep the gold because the child they are visiting will rule his kingdom with love not riches. Amahl's mother gives back the gold wishing she had something to give of her own. Amahl offers his crutch as a gift and suddenly is able to walk. He decides to follow the Kings so that he himself may give his crutch to the Christ child.The work is ideal foran amateur performance (for example a secondary school or a local dramatic society) since all the action takes place in one act and one place and the work calls for limited adaptable musical forces. It also gives each principala chance to shine either in a solo or an ensemble. This is the Schirmer edition of the Libretto in English only.

The Black Swan is an aria from the opera The Medium by Gian Carlo Menotti. The work is arguably Menotti's most famous serious opera and it opened at the Ethel Barrymore Theater on Broadway in 1947.

Opera Full Score-The first opera written for television 'Amahl and the Night Visitors' has become the most frequently performed opera of all time with over five hundred performances annually across the world. Menotti's take on theChristmas story focuses on Amahl a young handicapped boy and his mother who are visited by three Kings -- Balthazar Melchior and Kaspar -- who are on their way to find Jesus. The Kings stay the night during which Amahl'smother tries to steal some of the Kings' gold and is caught in the act. Melchior suggests that she keep the gold because the child they are visiting will rule his kingdom with love not riches. Amahl's mother gives back the gold wishing she had something to give of her own. Amahl offers his crutch as a gift and suddenly is able to walk. He decides to follow the Kings so that he himself may give his crutch to the Christ child.The work is ideal foran amateur performance (for example a secondary school or a local dramatic society) since all the action takes place in one act and one place and the work calls for limited adaptable musical forces. It also gives each principala chance to shine either in a solo or an ensemble.This is the Schirmer hardback edition of the full score.

Gian Carlo Menotti (1911--2007) is best remembered as an opera composer and founder of three international performing arts festivals. Menotti has left behind a lasting legacy of lyrical and accessible music. Poemetti: 12 Pieces for Children was first published in 1937. These descriptive pieces demonstrate Menotti's celebrated lyric gift as well as the careful craft that characterizes his work. Taken as a whole, the set can be seen as Menotti's version of an 'Album for the Young,' recalling images of his colorful childhood in Italy. These brief compositions are varied in meter, tempo, character, texture, and technical demands and are suitable for developing the musical imagination and keyboard facility of pianists at the intermediate level. The collection is pianistic in style, with each piece serving as a miniature technical etude. The titles are evocative and aid the performer in conceptualizing a convincing interpretation. / Piano

Opera Full Score-Menotti's The Medium is something of a cautionary tale which had its genesis in a seance attended by the composer himself. This is the Cloth Full Score edition of the work.

From Amahl and the Night Visitors-Amahl and the Night Visitors was the first opera to be commissioned especially for television and was premiered in 1951. With this well-crafted setting by Lloyd Conley string orchestras can enjoy the charming stage music from this enduring holiday production. (G. Schirmer Inc.)

Chip And His Dog is a wonderful Opera written especially for Children and to be performed by Children. It was commissioned by the Canadian Children's Opera Chorus and the first performance was given by them on May 5th 1979.