Giancarlo Menotti: "Amelia al ballo" [1] -Valentina Valente

Giancarlo Menotti: "Amelia al ballo" . Opera buffa in one act [1]
Amelia: Valentina Valente;
The husband: Paul Whelan;
The lover: François Soulet;
The friend: Adrienne Mille;
The chief of Police: Christoph Fel;
Two chambermaids: Claire Lauby, Rosalind Elliman;
Cond.: Bruno Ferrandis;
Dir.: Pier Paolo Pacini;
Performed at the Opéra de Nantes.

The action takes place in Milan on a night - about the year 1910 - in the house of a member of the upper bourgeoisie. The scene represents the luxurious bedroom of Amelia. In the background a wide window which opens on a balcony, form which may be seen, in the moonlight, the city and the cathedral. An alcove, a door, a dressing table with a large mirror, richly fitted out.
As the crtain rises Amelia (a shapely young lady) standing in front of the mirror, en deshabillée, is having her corset strings tightened by the two maids. He beautiful ball-dress is lying on a chair nearby. The friend, all ready to go, waits at one side, obviously at the height of impatience.
As they reach the door to go out, in a great flurry (Amlia not quite ready) the door opens, revealing the menacing figure of the Husband.
With a "good-night" to Amelia and the Husband, the friend followed by the two maids, departs. Amelia, indignant, is left alone with her husband.
Alone with her Husband, Amelia gives vent to her indignation.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Menotti
• opera
• Valentina
• Valente
• Whelan
• Pacini
• Ferrandis

[brcmano]

Ow! Thanks for this recording! That was great!