Conrad Susa: The Dangerous Liaisons
Abigail Shapiro, Brittany Nickell, Noragh Devlin, Timothy Murray, Anna Dugan, Oliver Sewell, Janet Todd, Brittany Bellacosa, Amy Welten, Christian Thurston, Ashley Alden, Michael Gracco, Manhattan School of Music Opera Orchestra, Manhattan School of Music Opera Chorus, George Manahan
Conrad Susa's three-act opera with libretto by Philip Littell, is based on the scandalous 18th century novel by Pierre Chodelos de Laclos, a tale of decadence and revenge told entirely in letters. The plot of The Dangerous Liaisons revolves around the vengeful widow Marquise de Merteuil, who has managed to keep her reputation despite her many amorous affairs, and her sometime lover the Vicomte de Valmont, a well-born rake who does her bidding. The ripple effect of their schemes and amorous exploits results in the deaths of both Valmont and the woman he truly loves, the saintly Madame de Tourvel. Commissioned by the San Francisco Opera, Susa's massive score was reduced by Bob Schuneman in 2008 and it is this version that is heard on the recording. The Dangerous Liaisons was recorded live at the acclaimed 2015 Manhattan School of Music Opera Theater production.
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Track Listing
| Title | Composer | Performer |
|---|---|---|
| The Dangerous Liaisons | Conrad Susa | Anna Dugan; Timothy Murray; Abigail Shapiro; Janet Todd; Oliver Sewell; Brittany Nickell; Noragh Devlin; Manhattan School of Music Opera Theater; George Manahan, conductor |
Reviews
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"The San Francisco Opera commissioned Conrad Susa to compose this opera based on the 18th Century novel by Pierre Choderlos de Lachos the opera is an effective piece of theatre. Like the several stage versions, it presents fascinating characters either ruled by or fighting against the sexual mores of their day It is not a score I would listen to purely to hear beautiful music. But it offers music that enhances the dramatic situations, especially several ensembles which Susa has created to enable the characters to give voice to their feelings, often at the same time -- the real glory of the opera. Te cast has no stars of the magnitude of that original cast, but all the student singers sing securely, with well-placed and well-controlled voices and good understanding of their characters, all ably conducted by George Manahan."
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