The opera world, and indeed the classical music world, has lost one of its most prolific and famous contemporary composers with the death of Gian Carlo Menotti at age 95. Menotti died February 1 at Princess Grace Hospital in Monaco. His legacy is considerable, and part of it, the Spoleto U.S.A. Festival in Charleston, is a marvelous cultural gift to those of us who live in the Carolinas. Many of us will also remember him as the composer of Amahl and the Night Visitors, the Christmas opera that enjoys many amateur as well as professional productions year after year.
For more about his remarkable life, there are articles at the New York Times and BBC News. What are your thoughts about Menotti’s music and career? Have you personally enjoyed or benefitted from Spoleto, U.S.A.? We’d love to see your comments.