Antony and Cleopatra (opera)
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Antony and Cleopatra is an opera in three acts by American composer Samuel Barber. The libretto was prepared by Franco Zeffirelli based on the play Antony and Cleopatra by Shakespeare. It made use of Shakespeare's language exclusively.
It was first performed in New York City on September 16, 1966, at the opening of the new Metropolitan Opera House in Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts. The idea was to have a new opera by an American composer for the gala opening of the new house.
No expense was spared. Franco Zeffirelli was hired as stage director. Thomas Schippers was the conductor. The stage design and costumes were elaborate; the cast enormous including 22 singers, full chorus, and ballet dancers. Stars in the cast included soprano Leontyne Price in the title role of Cleopatra, baritone Justino Diaz in the title role of Mark Antony, tenor Jess Thomas as Octavius Caesar, and mezzo-soprano Rosalind Elias as Charmian.
The opera was thoroughly and cruelly panned by critics. This is generally attributed to the conflict between the elaborate staging and the more intimate nature of Barber's music. Most embarrassing, the stage turntable broke under the weight of massive cast of extras during rehearsals.
The opera was canceled after the opening run of the inital performances of the production. Many believe that the music is some of Barber's best.
Barber revised the opera and it was later performed at the Juilliard School, the Spoleto Festival USA, Festival dei Due Mondi, and the Lyric Opera of Chicago. The Spoleto production was directed by Gian-Carlo Menotti, Barber's long time partner and librettist of his first opera, Vanessa, and starred Esther Hinds as Cleopatra and Jeffry Wells as Mark Antony is available on CD (New World Records, 1992)
