[Starring] Virginia Copeland
See facing page and page 6
A music drama
Words and music by Gian-Carlo Menotti
In a poor house in Bleecker Street, in the Italian quarter of New York, lives a sick girl, Annina, worshipped by her neighbours as a 'Saint' because every Good Friday she falls into a trance, in which she has a vision of Calvary. When she wakes, there is always blood on her hands, a cry of 'Miracle' goes up among the awe-struck onlookers, and they push and jostle to kiss the 'stigmata,' believing that they will heal the sick. Only Michele, Annina's tough, rebellious brother, opposes this 'religious superstition.'
While the quarter prepares for the Feast of San Gennaro, Annina hears that some young bullies are planning to carry her off as the local 'Saint' for the procession. Michele forbids her to take part, but he is overpowered and tied to a railing, where he is found and released by Desideria, a young girl of easy virtue. The love affair which starts between Michele and Desideria comes to a dramatic climax a few months later during a gay party in an Italian restaurant, where Carmela, one of Annina's friends, is celebrating her wedding. Desideria, who has not been invited, asks Michele to prove his love for her by taking her in to the reception. She accused Michele of not wanting to marry her, and exasperated by her taunts, Michele stabs her and runs away.
A few months later Annina meets her brother in hiding from the police. In vain she tries to persuade him to give himself up, as she can be of no help to him since she has decided to become a nun.
A few days later, Annina is prepared to be accepted into the Church. While the solemn rites are celebrated, Michele bursts into the room and entreats her for the last time to live for her brother's affection instead of the illusory love for God. But Annina does not hear him any more...
Scene 1: An apartment on Bleecker Street in the Italian quarter of New York. Good Friday afternoon.
Scene 2: A vacant lot on Mulberry Street, San Gennaro Day.
Scene 3: An Italian restaurant, the following May.
Scene 4: A subway station, a few months later.
Scene 5: The apartment, several days later.
Annina's aria in the first scene is a description of the Crucifixion as though she herself were present. At the climax of the aria, she receives the stigmata - a mystical phenomenon whereby open, bleeding wounds (representing the wounds of Christ) suddenly appear in the palms of her hands.
San Gennaro is the patron saint of Naples. He is honoured by Neapolitans all over the world by an annual feast day on the day of his martyrdom. It is one of the yearly festivals which take place on Mulberry Street, New York.
Regarding the religious rites in the last scene, the ecclesiastical authorities may grant permission under special circumstances to conduct these in the seclusion and privacy of the home.
(Raymond Nilsson and Jess Walters broadcast by permission of the General Administrator, Royal Opera House Covent Garden, Ltd.; June Bronhill by permission of Sadler's Wells Trust, Ltd.)
(To be repeated on Sunday at 2.0)
