Feb
26

Sarah Heltzel

Desideria

The Saint of Bleeker Street

Dicapo Opera

New York, NY

Sarah Heltzel – Desideria

Italian-American composer Gian Carlo Menotti, unashamed of theatricality and tonal melody, ranks as one of the most original and popular 20th century opera composers. Writing his own librettos, Menotti has ranged far in the subjects he has chosen for his operas, from a police-state nightmare (The Consul) to the tragedy of a woman caught between reality and an incredible world beyond (The Medium) to the hugely successful Christmas TV opera Amahl and the Night Visitors. Menotti’s The Saint of Bleeker Street, written in English and dating from 1954, is the story of a simple young girl in New York’s Little Italy who is blessed (or afflicted) with the stigmata and hears voices and sees visions. Her protective brother Michele, who is also a convinced atheist, thinks his sister needs hospitalization, but he cannot stop their neighbors from believing his sister to be a saint. An opera of high theatricality! This new production will be directed by Michael Capasso and conducted by Maestro Mazzagatti.

Tickets and information