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Vanessa
Composer:Samuel Osmond Barber
Librettist:Gian Carlo Menotti
Synopsis
Vanessa has lived as a shut-in-with her mirrors covered for 20 years since her lover Anatol deserted her. Her mother, the Old Baroness, will not speak to her and her only companion is her niece, Erika. As the opera opens, they are preparing for Anatol's return. When he arrives at the door, Vanessa declares her love for him-then faints when she discovers that it is not he, but his son, also named Anatol. Anatol explains that his father has died, but he wanted to meet the woman that haunted his father for so many years. Meanwhile, Erika has fallen in love with Anatol. He seduces her. When he turns his attentions toward Vanessa, Erika discovers that she is pregnant. Vanessa and Anatol announce their plans to marry while Erika flees from the house, causing her to miscarry. Vanessa and Anatol depart from the house as Erika covers all the mirrors.

Productions
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COMPANYTITLEDATES
Spoleto Festival USAVanessa5/27/2023 - 6/10/2023
Santa Fe OperaVanessa7/30/2016 - 8/24/2016
West Edge OperaVanessa9/9/2013 - 9/22/2013
Sarasota OperaVanessa3/24/2012 - 3/24/2012
Nevada Opera AssociationVanessa2/13/2011 - 2/13/2011
Boston University - CFAVanessa9/28/2010 - 9/28/2010
New York City OperaVanessa11/6/2007 - 11/16/2007
Academy of Vocal ArtsVanessa2/2/2007 - 3/3/2007
Long Leaf OperaVanessa10/10/2006 - 10/21/2006
Chautauqua OperaVanessa8/7/2006 - 8/8/2006
Central City OperaVanessa7/1/2005 - 8/1/2005
San Diego Opera AssociationVanessa4/1/2005 - 4/24/2005
Los Angeles OperaVanessa11/1/2004 - 12/1/2004
Des Moines Metro OperaVanessa6/30/2001 - 7/14/2001
Curtis Institute of MusicVanessa4/1/2001 - 4/27/2001
Opera BostonVanessa5/5/2000 - 5/7/2000
Seattle OperaVanessa2/2/1999 - 3/13/1999
Pittsburgh OperaVanessa10/10/1998 - 10/10/1998
Lyric Opera of Kansas CityVanessa5/5/1997 - 5/18/1997
Dallas OperaVanessa1/7/1994 - 1/15/1994
Juilliard SchoolVanessa12/1/1991 - 12/14/1991


OPERA America/Opera.ca Grants Awarded
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GRANT NAMEYEAR
The Next Stage1997
Title Information

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Approximate Runtime (hh:mm)
2:00

 Number of Acts
3

 Musical Style
Predominantly neo-romantic; metric flexibility; some dissonance; accessible, lyrical melodies

 Vocal & Musical Forces
Soprano, Mezzo-soprano, Contralto, Tenor, Baritone, Bass

 Original Cast
Eleanor Steber (Vanessa)
Rosalind Elias (Erika)
Regina Resnik (The Old Baroness)
Nicolai Gedda (Anatol)
Giorgio Tozzi (The Old Doctor)
George Cehanovsky (Nicholas)
Robert Nagy (Footman)

Technical Production Directory
There are 2 entries in the Technical Production Directory for this work.

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