Sacco and Vanzetti
Marc Blitzstein
About this work:
3-act opera begun by Marc Blitzstein, commissioned for the Metropolitan Opera (1959), completed by Leonard Lehrman (2001); on the unjust arrest, conviction, and execution of two Italian immigrant anarchists in Boston, 1920-27 (exonerated by Gov. Michael Dukakis in 1977). Four excerpts recorded on Original Cast Records C 4441 A Marc Blitzstein Songbook, accompanied at the piano by Leonard Lehrman:
Rosa-Sacco Duet (Act II Sc.3) Helene Williams & Gregory Mercer 2'04"
Vanzetti's First Aria (Act I Sc.2) James Sergi 2'29"
Sacco's The Whole Shoe (Act II Sc. 5) Gregory Mercer 5'11"
Vanzetti's Last Statement (Act III Sc. 4) James Sergi 3'07"
Version: with piano accompaniment
Year composed: 2001
Duration: 02:40:80
Ensemble type: Opera/Theater:Opera, More than One Act, with Chorus
Instrumentation: 1 Piano, 2 Soprano, 2 Mezzo-Soprano, 3 Tenor, 2 Baritone, 1 Bass-Baritone, 1 Narrator, 2 SS, 2 AA, 2 TT, 2 BB
Instrumentation notes: 38 roles may be played by 10 singers, 2 actors and a mime. Accompaniment may be played by 2 pianists at one piano.