description The Telephone Overview
The Telephone is a one-act comic opera by Gian Carlo Menotti, first performed in 1947. Its plot centers on Ben, who tries to propose marriage to Lucy, but their conversation is repeatedly interrupted because Lucy remains occupied with telephone calls. The opera is written for two singers and orchestra and is often presented as a companion piece to Menotti’s darker one-act opera The Medium. It suits audiences interested in concise twentieth-century opera and comic situations built around modern communication.
help The Telephone FAQ
Who wrote The Telephone?
The Telephone is a one-act comic opera by Gian Carlo Menotti. It was first performed in 1947 and is written for two singers, Ben and Lucy.
What is the plot of The Telephone?
Ben wants to propose marriage to Lucy, but she remains absorbed in a series of telephone calls. His attempt to have a private conversation is repeatedly interrupted by the phone.
How many main characters sing in The Telephone?
The opera is written for two principal voices, Ben and Lucy. The limited cast keeps the focus on their relationship and on Lucy's constant conversations with people who are not seen on stage.
Why is the telephone important to the opera's comedy?
The telephone acts almost like a third character because it controls the timing of the conversation. Ben's proposal cannot proceed until he finds a way to reach Lucy despite her calls.
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