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An American Double Bill
Samuel Barber: A Hand of Bridge.
A Hand of Bridge, composed by Samuel Barber, has a libretto written by Menotti, his life partner. One of the shortest operas to be regularly performed (under ten minutes), introduces two unhappily married couples playing a hand of bridge, during which each character has an arietta in which he or she professes his or her inner desires.
Gian Carlo Menotti: The Medium
The second of these operas is Menotti’s The Medium. Premiering in 1946, The Medium tells the story of Madame Flora who, with the help of her daughter Monica and Toby, a mute servant, tries to cheat her clients through faked seances. She is touched herself by a hand during one of them, an occurrence she cannot explain, and which drives her to insanity and murder. The ballroom of Ayers House provides the perfect ‘drawing room’ atmosphere needed for these intimate works. Run time – approx. 1 ½ hours, including a 20 minute interval.