A Hand of Bridge
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A Hand of Bridge, opus 35, is an opera composed by Samuel Barber with libretto by Gian Carlo Menotti, is possibly the shortest opera that is regularly performed. It consists of two couples playing a hand of bridge, during which each character has a short arietta in which he or she sings a monologue. The first performance took place at the Festival of Two Worlds in Spoleto on June 17, 1959.
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[edit] Roles
- David, a florid businessman: baritone
- Geraldine, his middle-aged wife: soprano
- Bill, a lawyer: tenor
- Sally, his wife: contralto
[edit] Synopsis
The soprano laments not loving her now dying mother while she was still well. The contralto recalls a hat she saw in a shop window earlier in the day. The tenor recalls an ex-lover and wonders where she is now. Finally, the baritone fantasizes about what he would do if he were as rich as his boss "Mr. Pritchett."
[edit] Discography
- Neway, W.Lewis, Maero; Goldschmann, 1960
- Aks, Kittleson, Carney, Muenz; G.Smith, 1991
[edit] References
- Description from Schirmer's catalogue
- B. Hayman. "Samuel Barber", Grove Music Online, ed. L. Macy (accessed April 8, 2008), grovemusic.com (subscription access).
