A Hand of Bridge, chamber opera, Op. 35

• Date: 1953
• Composer: Samuel Barber
• Period: Modern (1910-1949)

Review

A ten-minute chamber opera for four soloists and small orchestra, with text by

the composer's longtime companion Gian-Carlo Menotti, it was written for the

1959 Spoleto Festival. The beginning shows the apparently light setting of two

couples playing cards over the jazzy sounds of a solo piano. Soon a deeper layer

is revealed as the characters start to express their thoughts and feelings and the

music becomes richer and more elaborate. These four characters are all alone in

their private worlds. Anger, frustration, lust and sadness appear in turn while the

inner monologues mix without touching one another. ~ Hector Bellman, Rovi

Albums with Complete Performances of the Work

Title	Date
Barber: Capricorn Concerto; A Hand of Bridge; Intermezzo from Vanessa
Barber: Complete Orchestral Works
Music of Samuel Barber	1991
Music of Samuel Barber	1999
Music of Samuel Barber	2005
William Schuman: The Mighty Casey, A Baseball Opera	1991

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