When you think of classical American composers, you probably think first of George Gershwin, Leonard Bernstein, or Aaron Copland. However, one great American composer of the 20th century who is often overlooked is Gian Carlo Menotti. Although that name doesn’t sound American, this Italian immigrated to the United States in 1928 at the age of 17 to study at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia. For the rest of his life, he spent most of his time in the United States, although he always retained his Italian citizenship.
Menotti was a prolific composer who wrote throughout his long life. He wrote many orchestral and vocal works for the stage, concert hall, and screen, but he’s best remembered for his operas. He wrote 27 in all, which brought him his greatest fame. His opera about the first Christmas, “Amahl and the Night Visitors,” is the most performed opera in America. However, it all started with “Amelia Goes to the Ball” in 1937.
