Marie Powers sings The Medium (vaimusic.com)

[dynomax101]

The is utterly incredible. Marie Powers becomes the character, showing us Baba's madness and her vulnerability. When a performer brings us along on such a journey into madness and bares the soul for all to see, we are seeing the acting art at its highest.

[BriaDanae]

I am currently "Monica" in this opera at Nebraska Wesleyan. It is both vocally and theatrically difficult. I have to tap into an area of my soul that I never knew existed. I agree that the whole experience has been intense, but those melodic lines so wonderfully written by Menotti make this whole opera worthwhile. It truly is an amazing work, and I feel privileged to be a part of the cast!

[FireStar32005]

I did this opera, last year with my school.Such an intense experience musically....It's a shame more people do not show an interest in works such as this.

[firesong75]

She was magnificent! I knew her well in Nice in the early 50s. She continued to vocalize daily and study diction.

[PeanutNbutter2]

My Grandma is in this movie!!! Her role was Mrs. Gobineau by beverly Dame.. If any fans still out there.. She is alive and well

[11777766]

Menotti not only wrote this fine opus, but also gave us Ahmahl and the Night VIsitors, the Telephone, and The Consul, which were very popular in the 50's and 60's. He also started the Spoleto Festival in Italy, the moved it here, where there are still annual musical events I believe. His 90th Biirthday was celebrated by the NY Metropolitan.

[cmhmuscle]

on the recording it's scary enough,. but this.....GOD. She really took risks and put it out there. A great great GREAT singer/actress.

[josephgoodrich]

fantastic performance!

[billyguns2]

This is one of the scariest moments in opera, and this video captures the creator of the role at her terrifying best. Many, many thanks for posting this. It is unfashionable to like Menotti these days, but he was created marvelously theatrical stage works and is one of the most financially successful composers of all time. The man also knew how to write a good melody; how many classical composers have that ability?

[DivaDeb1234]

Let's face it......It's unpopular to like any Opera these days. They fill football stadiums but Opera houses fight to stay alive.

DIVADEB

[Emmiline87]

Let's face it...America is no longer capable of being cultured.

And you'd be surprised...opera is a lot more popular than you'd think. It is definately not a lost art and the appreciation for it is growing more and more nowadays.

[DivaDeb1234]

I go to the opera...and have sung in many of them professionally. I think I have a very good idea of the state of this art. It is sadly dying. Yes, there is a small pocket of people still love it, as I do. But without huge donations and gifts of money , no opera house could stay in business. The don't make anywhere near enough on ticket sales to put on the productions. That is what I mean. Broadway, football games, movies, etc. do not need contributions to stay alive.

[HighlandPark400]

I agree - but we can't stop trying! I find the ignorance in the US outrageous.