Labyrinth (1963)

Labyrinth

1963

Synopsis

Labyrinth is an opera in one act by composer Gian Carlo Menotti. The work was commissioned for television by the NBC Opera Theatre and uses an English language libretto by the composer. Unlike Menotti's previous television operas, such as Amahl and the Night Visitors, this opera was written with no intention of being moved to live stage performance later. Menotti intended for this work to utilize the special effects unique to television which could not be recreated in live theatre. As a result, NBC's television production of the opera was the only performance the work had received until Ventura College mounted a production in June of 2020, directed by Brent Wilson. After its March 3, 1963 broadcast the opera was mainly criticized by the press for its trite use of allegory and music which rejected the avant-garde in favour of romanticism.

Credits

Cast

Beverly Wolff as The Executive Director

Bob Rickner as The Executive Director's Secretary

Elaine Bonazzi as The Spy

Frank Porretta as The Astronaut

John Reardon as Bridegroom

John West as Death's Assistant

Judith Raskin as The Bride

Leon Lishner as Death

Robert White as The Old Chess Player