The Wings of the Dove (opera) explained

The Wings of the Dove is an opera in 2 acts and 6 scenes by the American composer Douglas Moore that uses an English-language libretto by Ethan Ayer based on the 1902 novel of the same name by Henry James. Commissioned by the New York City Opera, the work premiered on October 12, 1961, at New York City Center, in a production directed by Christopher West with sets by Donald Oenslager, costumes by Patton Campbell, and choreography by Robert Joffrey.[1] Written in a Neo-Romantic style, the work is composed in the tradition of the verismo opera of Giacomo Puccini.

Roles

!Role!Voice type!Premiere cast,[2] 12 October 1961
Conductor: Julius Rudel
Kate Croymezzo-sopranoRegina Sarfaty
Homer CroybaritonePaul Ukena
Milly ThealesopranoDorothy Coulter
Aunt Maudmezzo-sopranoMartha Lipton
MilesbaritoneJohn Reardon
Susan StringhamsopranoMary LeSawyer
Lord MarktenorNorman Kelley
SteffensbaritoneRichard Fredricks
The LecturertenorMaurice Stern
GiulianoFrederic Milstein
JanusGerald Arpino and Paul Sutherland
Goddess of Springdance roleFrancoise Martinet

Notes and References

  1. News: Opera: Wings of Dove in Premiere; Douglas Moore's New Work at City Center. Harold C. Schonberg. October 13, 1961. The New York Times.
  2. News: Review: The Wings of the Dove. Variety. 234. 8. October 18, 1961. 65.