Abstract
A study of Gian Carlo Menotti’s The Consul, The Saint of Bleecker Street, and The Death\r of the Bishop of Brindisi as humanized by the music, with focus on the tragic characters\r (Magda Sorel and Mother, Annina and Michele, Bishop and the children).\r A thesis presented to the Music Department\r Graduate School of Arts and Sciences\r Brandeis University\r Waltham, MA\r By Julia R. O’Toole\r The purpose of this thesis was to examine the ways in which Gian Carlo Menotti engaged\r voices and instruments to create humanity in the characters through the music, focusing\r on three tragic operas: The Consul, The Saint of Bleecker Street, and The Death of the\r Bishop of Brindisi. The outcome of this study provides insights that can be applied to\r performance of these and potentially other Menotti operas. This study concentrated on\r iv\r two prominent tragic characters in each work. A brief biographical background was\r presented to establish context from which Mr. Menotti wrote, followed by a sampling of\r reviews for perspective into how these operas have been received, and synopses.\r Findings are supported through examination of form, and of the relationship between\r orchestration and voicing. The following methods were engaged: historical research,\r analysis of practical application of traditional uses for orchestral instruments, harmonic\r and rhythmic analysis of the full scores, scrutiny and classification of drama and form,\r review of text, theme and motive identification, interviews with performers and audience\r members, and statements by the composer.\r The conclusion of the study is that Menotti successfully used the music to establish\r identifiable, relatable shades of human emotion and expression. He achieved this level of\r humanization by capitalizing on the strengths of individual instruments and voices and\r ensembles, joining words and music in a way that defies separation, and evolving\r standard opera form to better mirror real human action and reaction. Clearly defined and\r musically individualized characters (particularly the six characters examined in this\r thesis) provide a convincing emotional experience for the audience.\r Permissions for copyrighted music examples under separate PDF.