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Donald Macleod explores why previously disparaging attitudes to Menotti's music have recently mellowed.

Donald Macleod explores why previously disparaging attitudes to Menotti's music have recently mellowed. His highly popular works were derided by highbrow critics as naïve and sentimental, yet Menotti never deviated from following his own path, insisting that one of the primary ingredients of good opera was the ability to bring tears to an audience's eyes. As his biographer John Gruen pointed out: "In later years even his greatest detractors would credit him with a flawless technique".

1 hour

Last on

Fri 8 Jul 2011 18:30

Music Played

  • Karen ARMSTRONG(Speaker)

    MENOTTI: The Idle Gift

    Performer: Homero FRANCESCH(Piano)

    • Etcetera.
    • KTC 1045.
    • 9.
  • Gian Carlo Menotti

    Lullaby from The Consul - musical drama in 3 acts

    Conductor: Yuli TUROVSKY Performer: I Musici De Montreal

    • Chandos.
    • CHAN 9304.
  • Gian Carlo Menotti

    Fantasia for Cello and Orchestra

    Conductor: Richard HICKOX Performer: Raphael WALLFISCH(Cello) Performer: Spoleto Festival Orchestra

    • chandos.
    • CHAN 9900.
  • Gian Carlo Menotti

    The Death of the Bishop Brindisi

    Conductor: Erich LEINSDORF Performer: George LONDON(Bass) Performer: Lili CHOOKASIAN(Mezzo-soprano) Performer: NEW ENGLAND CONSERVATORY CHORUS(Main Artist) Performer: Boston Symphony Orchestra

    • RCA Victor.
    • 09026 63747 2.

Broadcasts

  • Fri 8 Jul 2011 12:00
  • Fri 8 Jul 2011 18:30

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