| The Bell Tower | |
| Type: | Chamber opera |
| Composer: | Ernst Krenek |
| Librettist: | Krenek |
| Language: | English |
| Based On: | short story by Herman Melville |
| Premiere Location: | University of Illinois |
The Bell Tower is a chamber opera in one act by Ernst Krenek, his Op. 153. The English libretto by the composer was inspired by the short story by Herman Melville (collected in The Piazza Tales), the events only mysteriously hinted at in the story becoming a point of departure for the explicit dramatic action of Krenek's piece.[1] It was commissioned by the Fromm Foundation and written in 1955–56, receiving its premiere on 17 March 1957 at the University of Illinois (recorded on CRS 5).
| Role [2] | Voice type | Premiere Cast, (Conductor:John Garvey) |
|---|---|---|
| Bannadonna, bell-caster and architect | Manfred Capell | |
| Giovanni, foreman | William Olson | |
| Una, Bannadonna's daughter | soprano | Donna Sue Burton |
| Two Senators | Baritone & Tenor | Dan MacDonald, Donald Paschke |
| Two workers | Tenor & Baritone | Edward Levy, Bruce Govich |
| Statue | John Wilson | |
| Chorus of citizens, workers | SATB | |
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