Vanessa (opera)
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Vanessa is an opera in three acts (originally four acts) by Samuel Barber with a English libretto by Gian Carlo Menotti, based of the story Seven Gothic Tales by Isak Dinesen. It was composed in 1956–1957, and was first performed at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City on January 15, 1958. Barber revised it in 1965, reducing the four acts to three; it is this version which is most commonly performed.
Vanessa was a critical and popular success and Barber won a Pulitzer Prize for it. In Europe, it met with a chillier reception. It is occasionally revived in the United States.
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Characters
- Principle roles
- Vanessa (soprano)
- Erika, her niece (mezzo-soprano)
- Anatol (tenor)
- Old doctor (baritone)
- Minor roles
- Other
- Footman (bass)
- Young pastor (mute)
- Servants, guests, peasants, children, musicians (chorus)
Plot
- Time: About 1905.
- Place: Vanessa's country house in a northern country.
Act I
Vanessa, Erika, and the baroness await Anatol's arrival. Vanessa and Anatol were lovers twenty years ago. She refuses to reveal her face until he says he still loves her. He does, but she does not recognize him. It is Anatol's son who has come. His father is dead. Erika and Anatol now enjoy the meal meant for Vanessa and his father.
Act II
The baroness scolds Erika after Anatol seduces her. Erika loves him, but resists his marriage proposal because she doubts his sincerity. Vanessa tells her daughter that she also loves Anatol, despite Erika's warning that he is not her former lover. The baroness tells Erika to fight for Anatol. She is unsure if he is worthy of her efforts. He again proposes, and she again declines.
Act III
The doctor is drunk at a New Year's Eve ball. The baroness and Erika refuse to come to the party to hear his announcement of Anatol and Vanessa's engagement. The doctor goes to fetch them, while Vanessa tells Anatol her fears. Finally Erika returns, but faints, clutching her stomache, as the doctor makes the announcement. She recovers and flees to the lake as Anatol chases after her.
Act IV
Vanaessa is happy when Erika is found alive. She asks Anatol why Erika is acting so strangely. He explains that Erika does not love him. Vanessa begs him to take her away. Erika confesses to the baroness that she was pregnant, but no longer. As Vanessa and Anatol prepare to leave, she asks Erika why she ran away. Erika says she was just being foolish. After the couple leave, Erika covers the mirrors and closes up the house, like Vanessa had done before her.