Gian Carlo Menotti
Gian Carlo Menotti
Gian Carlo Menottiwas an Italian-American composer and librettist. Although he often referred to himself as an American composer, he kept his Italian citizenship. He wrote the classic Christmas opera Amahl and the Night Visitors, along with over two dozen other operas intended to appeal to popular taste...
NationalityItalian
ProfessionComposer
Date of Birth7 July 1911
CountryItaly
became doctors madonna miraculous nanny pictures priest pulled took
As a little boy of 3 or 4, I became lame. Something was wrong with my right leg. There are pictures of me being pulled around in a little wagon. The doctors didn't know what to do. So my nanny took me to the miraculous Madonna at Sacro Monte in Varese, the priest blessed me, and I walked.
felt fifties suffered
The creation of Spoleto was a social experiment. Because I've always suffered guilt from being a Catholic, when I was in my fifties I felt a need of being needed.
liver loathe
I loathe my body. The liver spots, the sagging flesh.
art felt god music
I have always felt that art, especially music, is but a demonstration of God.
content life memories music simplify
I have a heart problem, so I have to simplify my life and be content with memories and friends and music.
becoming christian guess risk running
I guess I am running the risk of becoming the Hans Christian Andersen of opera.
score
I can sit on a chair with a score and give myself a wonderful performance.
gives god melody
God gives you the gift of melody or He doesn't - it's as simple as that.
melodies
Writing beautiful melodies is not fashionable because it is very difficult to do.
beauty chord divinity incredible music opening schubert
A Schubert song, the A-major chord at the opening of Wagner's 'Lohengrin' - such incredible beauty is a mystery, the divinity of music.
christmas compete nobody
One lived in the impression that nobody could ever compete with the 'Nutcracker' or 'A Christmas Carol.'
dared modest nobility rediscover
For better or for worse, in 'The Last Savage,' I have dared to do away completely with fashionable dissonance, and in a modest way, I have endeavored to rediscover the nobility of gracefulness and the pleasure of sweetness.
composers love
My advice to composers is, 'Try to reach 90, and everyone will love you.'
asks watch
At the premieres, I always watch the audience. If a child asks to go to the bathroom, I know I've failed.