Glass: The Witches of Venice - CD & Book (2CD)

Fantasy, adventure, magic, monsters, fairies, witches, kings and queens are all part of the world created by Caldecott Medal winning Beni Montresor and acclaimed composer Philip Glass in this children's "opera-ballet" that was originally created for the world's most famous opera house, Teatro alla Scala in Milan, Italy. The piece was based on Montresor's children's book, The Witches of Venice. The versatile Italian artist Beni Montresor (1926-2001) achieved great success as a costume/set designer for opera, ballet and films, and as a distinguished illustrator and author of children's books. The Witches of Venice (1989) has been out of print for many years - until now. So how does Glass treat this children's story based in the historical Venice of Carnival and magical world of witches? He responds with one of his most entrancing scores featuring scenes that recall operatic tradition of The Marriage of Figaro, inventive songs, fantastical music portraying monsters and fairies, and savvy scoring which carries this whimsical story along. The story follows a lonely little boy, rejected by the King and Queen of Venice, who seeks a little girl like him, soon finds himself escaping captors, wandering dark hallways, fleeing monsters, and ultimately finding a friend who's been imprisoned by the Witches of the Grand Canal. The Witches of Venice is a touching and charming tale of adventure and friendship. The cast from the original 1995 production is led by Alexandra Montano and Brian Moore with long-time Glass associate Michael Riesman on keyboards and also conducting.