Amelia goes to the ball
| Work data | |
|---|---|
| Title: | Amelia goes to the ball |
| Original title: | Amelia al ballo |
| Shape: | opera buffa |
| Original language: | Italian |
| Music: | Gian Carlo Menotti |
| Libretto : | Gian Carlo Menotti |
| Premiere: | April 1, 1937 |
| Place of premiere: | Philadelphia |
| Playing time: | about an hour |
| Place and time of the action: | New York at the beginning of the 20th century |
| people | |
Amelia goes to the ball (Italian: Amelia al ballo , English: Amelia goes to the ball ) is a comic opera (opera buffa) in one act by Gian Carlo Menotti , who was also his own librettist. The work had its world premiere on April 1, 1937 at the Academy of Music in Philadelphia in English. In the German-speaking world, the opera took place for the first time on May 4, 1940 in Gera.
orchestra
Two flutes, a piccolo, two oboes, two clarinets, two bassoons, four horns, three trumpets, four trombones, a timpani, a percussion, a harp, a celesta and strings
action
The original opera is set in New York at the beginning of the 20th century. In the case of performances on European stages, the action is usually relocated to a major European city. The set shows an elegant ladies' room with a balcony.
Amelia is impatient. Her thoughts have long been at the ball she wants to attend today, and now of all times her husband is annoying her because he found a love letter addressed to her. He really wants to know the sender. As soon as she revealed this to him, he would accompany her to the ball. Well, thinks Amelia, if it's nothing more, then he should just know: it's the gentleman who lives one floor higher! Now that he knows, he no longer thinks about going to the ball with his wife. Jealousy seized him. He draws his pistol and leaves the room.
Amelia, of course, knows what her husband is up to. She runs out onto the balcony and calls out to her lover what danger threatens him. This does not think long. He quickly lets himself down to her on a rope. As soon as he's downstairs, Amelia's husband turns up again. The lover would like to climb back upstairs, but fate made sure that the leash broke. He quickly disappears under Amelia's bed.
Amelia's hope that her husband will now accompany her to the ball is suddenly nipped in the bud again. He found the broken rope on the balcony and correctly concluded that the guy must still be around. It doesn't take long to find the one he's looking for. He immediately pulls the pistol again and pulls the trigger; but no shot goes off. The damned device has jammed!
Now the lover feels strong and wants to beat up Amelia's husband. The two yell at each other, but immediately come to the conclusion that it might be better to discuss the situation first. And again Amelia can take off the ball! In her anger, she grabs the next best vase and smashes it on her husband's head. When she realizes what she has done, she hurries to the balcony to help.
The noise attracted a few police officers. Their captain wants to know what happened. Amelia begins to tell what is happening to her. Her story, however, has little to do with the truth. Your husband can't argue because he's still passed out. The lover serves up a different story, but is not believed.
Little by little, Amelia and the police captain come to like each other. When the latter found out what the lady of the house longs for, he gallantly extends his arm to her. And finally, finally the time has come: Amelia goes to the ball.
music
Menotti has not only written a funny book, but has also provided his piece with a very stage-effective, melodious and sometimes caricaturing music that is easily understood by the listener.
Web links
- Work data on Amelia goes to the ball based on MGG with discography at Operone