Carlo Menotti

The Consul

First performed in 1950 at the Shubert Theatre in Philadelphia, The Consul was a phenomenally successful opera dealing with 20th century bureaucracy and socio-political issues.

It is set in a totalitarian state in which John Sorel is a political dissident, fighting for a democratic government. The secret police force him to leave the country and Magda, his wife, must obtain a visa to leave the country and join him. During the ensuing months, Magda's baby and mother-in-law die and then she learns that her husband is coming home to free her, despite the fact that he will be captured on his return.

The Consul is a powerful and thought-provoking musical drama in three acts, by Gian-Carlo Menotti. This is the Revised Schirmer 2000 Edition of the Vocal Score with a Piano reduction by Thomas Schipper.