Immerse yourself in the gripping world of Gian Carlo Menotti's "Il Console," a powerful opera that delves into themes of desperation, hope, and the human condition. Released on May 6, 2003, under the Opera d'Oro label, this two-hour and eight-minute masterpiece is a testament to Menotti's storytelling prowess and musical brilliance.
"Il Console" is set against the backdrop of a totalitarian regime, following the story of Magda Sorel, a woman desperate to secure visas for her family to escape the oppressive environment. The opera is a profound exploration of the lengths to which individuals will go to protect their loved ones and the moral dilemmas they face in the process.
The album features a stunning array of vocal performances, with each track offering a glimpse into the characters' inner turmoil and the escalating tension of the plot. From the haunting "Tu reviendras et voudras m'enfermer" to the desperate plea of "Carte! Carte! Carte! Ma quando capira?", Menotti's composition and libretto create an atmosphere of urgency and despair.
The opera is divided into three acts, each building on the previous one to create a cohesive and compelling narrative. The interludes between acts provide moments of respite, allowing the tension to build gradually and maintaining the listener's engagement throughout.
Gian Carlo Menotti, known for his ability to blend music and drama seamlessly, has crafted an opera that is both emotionally resonant and musically rich. "Il Console" is a powerful addition to any opera enthusiast's collection, offering a profound and thought-provoking experience that lingers long after the final notes fade away.
(C) 2006 Opera d'Oro(P) 2006 Opera d'Oro
Tracks
Menotti: Il Console (The Consul): "Tu reviendras et voudras m'enfermer" - Act OneGian Carlo Menotti, Virginia Zeani, Gianluigi Colmargo, Giovanni Fioroni, Gianluigi Colmagro, Virginia Zeani, Giovanna Fioroni, Thomas Schippers
Menotti: Il Console (The Consul): Oh, quanto durera cosi? (Oh, when will all this sorrow end? - Act OneGian Carlo Menotti, Virginia Zeani, Gianluigi Colmargo, Giovanni Fioroni, Giovanna Fioroni, Virginia Zeani, Gianluigi Colmagro, Thomas Schippers
Menotti: Il Console (The Consul): Come si chiama?... Magda Sorel (What is your name?... Magda Sorel) - Act OneGian Carlo Menotti, Virginia Zeani, Gianluigi Colmargo, Giovanni Fioroni, Gianfranco Casarini, Virginia Zeani, Giovanna Fioroni, Thomas Schippers
Menotti: Il Console (The Consul): Aspetta. Fermo. Sono andati, Mother? (Don't move yet. Wait. Have they gone, Mother?) - Act OneGian Carlo Menotti, Virginia Zeani, Gianluigi Colmargo, Giovanni Fioroni, Virginia Zeani, Giovanna Fioroni, Gianluigi Colmagro, Thomas Schippers
Menotti: Il Console (The Consul): Labbra, ditegli addio (Now, O lips, say goodbye) - Act OneGian Carlo Menotti, Virginia Zeani, Gianluigi Colmargo, Giovanni Fioroni, Virginia Zeani, Giovanna Fioroni, Gianluigi Colmagro, Thomas Schippers
Menotti: Il Console (The Consul): Interlude; Si... Cosa desidera? (Yes... What can I do for you?) - Act OneGian Carlo Menotti, Virginia Zeani, Gianluigi Colmargo, Giovanni Fioroni, Joy Davidson, Graziano Del Vivo, Thomas Schippers
Menotti: Il Console (The Consul): Un altro! Un altro!... Tocca a lei (Next! Next!... Go ahead) - Act OneGian Carlo Menotti, Virginia Zeani, Gianluigi Colmargo, Giovanni Fioroni, Joy Davidson, Virginia Zeani, Bibiana Goldenthal, Graziano Del Vivo, Thomas Schippers
Menotti: Il Console (The Consul): Posso andare dal Console? (May I speak to the Consul?) - Act OneGian Carlo Menotti, Virginia Zeani, Gianluigi Colmargo, Giovanni Fioroni, Virginia Zeani, Joy Davidson, Nico Castel, Flora Rafanelli, Bibiana Goldenthal, Graziano Del Vivo, Thomas Schippers
Menotti: Il Console (The Consul): "Tu reviendras et voudras m'enfermer" - Act TwoGian Carlo Menotti, Virginia Zeani, Gianluigi Colmargo, Giovanni Fioroni, Gianluigi Colmagro, Virginia Zeani, Giovanna Fioroni, Thomas Schippers
Menotti: Il Console (The Consul): Ma mai ho visto un pupo piu triste di te! (I've never seen a baby so little and sad) - Act TwoGian Carlo Menotti, Virginia Zeani, Gianluigi Colmargo, Giovanni Fioroni, Giovanna Fioroni, Thomas Schippers
Menotti: Il Console (The Consul): John, John, perche quei rami (John, John, why did you bring me all these branches and stones?) - Act TwoGian Carlo Menotti, Virginia Zeani, Gianluigi Colmargo, Giovanni Fioroni, Virginia Zeani, Gianluigi Colmagro, Thomas Schippers
Menotti: Il Console (The Consul): Mamma, mamma!... Calmati, Magda (Mother! Mother!... What is it, Magda?) - Act TwoGian Carlo Menotti, Virginia Zeani, Gianluigi Colmargo, Giovanni Fioroni, Virginia Zeani, Giovanna Fioroni, Gianfranco Colmagro, Thomas Schippers
Menotti: Il Console (The Consul): Signora Sorel, per lei ho simpatia (Madame Sorel, I like you very much) - Act TwoGian Carlo Menotti, Virginia Zeani, Gianluigi Colmargo, Giovanni Fioroni, Gianfranco Casarini, Virginia Zeani, Giorgio Giorgetti, Giovanna Fioroni, Thomas Schippers
Menotti: Il Console (The Consul): Mamma, perche taci cosi mamma? (Mother, why are you so still, Mother?) - Act TwoGian Carlo Menotti, Virginia Zeani, Gianluigi Colmargo, Giovanni Fioroni, Virginia Zeani, Giovanna Fioroni, Thomas Schippers
Menotti: Il Console (The Consul): Interlude; Come ha detto che si chiama? (What did you say your name was?) - Act TwoGian Carlo Menotti, Virginia Zeani, Gianluigi Colmargo, Giovanni Fioroni, Joy Davidson, Giuliana Matteini, Flora Rafanelli, Graziano Del Vivo, Virginia Zeani, Nico Castel, Thomas Schippers
Menotti: Il Console (The Consul): Ma come ho fatto? (How did you do it?) - Act TwoGian Carlo Menotti, Virginia Zeani, Gianluigi Colmargo, Giovanni Fioroni, Joy Davidson, Nico Castel, Giuliana Matteini, Flora Rafanelli, Graziano Del Vivo, Thomas Schippers
Menotti: Il Console (The Consul): Ipnotismo!... Guardami negli occhi (Hyptnotism!... Look into my eyes) - Act TwoGian Carlo Menotti, Virginia Zeani, Gianluigi Colmargo, Giovanni Fioroni, Nico Castel, Joy Davidson, Virginia Zeani, Giuliana Matteini, Flora Rafanelli, Bibiana Goldenthal, Graziano Del Vivo, Thomas Schippers
Menotti: Il Console (The Consul): Anche il piu grande artista (Even a great, great artist) - Act TwoGian Carlo Menotti, Virginia Zeani, Gianluigi Colmargo, Giovanni Fioroni, Nico Castel, Joy Davidson, Virginia Zeani, Thomas Schippers
Menotti: Il Console (The Consul): Dunque e cosi: che l'uoma nega (To this we've come: that men withhold) - Act TwoGian Carlo Menotti, Virginia Zeani, Gianluigi Colmargo, Giovanni Fioroni, Virginia Zeani, Flora Rafanelli, Graziano Del Vivo, Joy Davidson, Thomas Schippers
Menotti: Il Console (The Consul): Carte! Carte! Carte! Ma quando capira? (Papers! Papers! Papers! But don't you understand?) - Act TwoGian Carlo Menotti, Virginia Zeani, Gianluigi Colmargo, Giovanni Fioroni, Virginia Zeani, Thomas Schippers
Menotti: Il Console (The Consul): Lei diventa irragionevole, Signora Sorel (You're being very unreasonable, Mrs. Sorel) - Act TwoGian Carlo Menotti, Virginia Zeani, Gianluigi Colmargo, Giovanni Fioroni, Joy Davidson, Flora Rafanelli, Thomas Schippers
Menotti: Il Console (The Consul): Quante volte debbo dirlo, signora Sorel! (How often must I tell you, Mrs. Sorel) - Act ThreeGian Carlo Menotti, Virginia Zeani, Gianluigi Colmargo, Giovanni Fioroni, Joy Davidson, Flora Rafanelli, Thomas Schippers
Menotti: Il Console (The Consul): Ha visto per caso la signora Sorel? (Have you seen Mrs. Sorel by any chance?) - Act ThreeGian Carlo Menotti, Virginia Zeani, Gianluigi Colmargo, Giovanni Fioroni, Giorgio Giorgetti, Virginia Zeani, Joy Davidson, Flora Rafanelli, Thomas Schippers
Menotti: Il Console (The Consul): E andata... Poco male. Tornera domani. (She's gone... Oh well, she'll be back tomorow) - Act ThreeGian Carlo Menotti, Virginia Zeani, Gianluigi Colmargo, Giovanni Fioroni, Flora Rafanelli, Joy Davidson, Gianluigi Colmagro, Gianfranco Casarini, Thomas Schippers
Menotti: Il Console (The Consul): Interlude; Non volevo far questo (I never meant to do this) - Act ThreeGian Carlo Menotti, Virginia Zeani, Gianluigi Colmargo, Giovanni Fioroni, Virginia Zeani, Thomas Schippers
Menotti: Il Console (The Consul): Oh, Dio, perdono... Avanti! Avanti! Avanti! (Oh, God, forgive me...All aboard! All aboard! All aboard!) - Act ThreeGian Carlo Menotti, Virginia Zeani, Gianluigi Colmargo, Giovanni Fioroni, Virginia Zeani, Bibiana Goldenthal, Giuliana Matteini, Flora Rafanelli, Joy Davidson, Giovanna Fioroni, Gianluigi Colmagro, Graziano Del Vivo, Nico Castel, Thomas Schippers
Menotti: Il Console (The Consul): La danza comincia... Magda, amor mio (The dance is on... Magda, my dear) - Act ThreeGian Carlo Menotti, Virginia Zeani, Gianluigi Colmargo, Giovanni Fioroni, Nico Castel, Giovanna Fioroni, Virginia Zeani, Joy Davidson, Flora Rafanelli, Gianluigi Colmagro, Thomas Schippers