The Medium, a 59-minute opera in English by the fabled composer Gian Carlo Menotti comes to Dartmouth virtually in a streamed production through a collaboration with the college's Department of Music and the Hop. 

The year-long project showcases the talents of Dartmouth Opera Lab students and visiting artists Mezzo Soprano Ana Mora of the New England Conservatory, and Soprano Isabelle Brick, '20, a recent Dartmouth and Opera Lab graduate.

With the pandemic in full swing, the cast created this opera remotely across many states: Vocal and character preparation took place over Zoom calls. A single set décor was replaced with identical set-elements to be integrated in their homes and dorm rooms. The vocal track was created remotely. Directing was provided live while students recorded themselves. All these elements were then edited, married and rendered into black and white with old-silent-movie effects.

The outcome is a seamless, deliciously spooky performance that would make Menotti proud.

VIDEO: Master Technician David Haggerty walks you through what it takes to put together The Medium video >

Libretto and music by Gian Carlo Menotti
Maestro Filippo Ciabatti Musical Director, Conductor and Pianist
Erma Mellinger Vocal and Character Preparation
Peter M. Webster Director
David Haggerty, Master Technician

The Cast

Ana Mora, Mezzo Soprano
"Baba," Madame Flora, The Medium
New England Conservatory

Isabelle Brick, '20, Soprano
Monica, her supposed daughter

Terry Guo, '23
Toby, a mute foundling

Julia Battle '23
Mrs. Nolan, seeking to contact her dead daughter

Emma Ginsberg '23
Mrs. Gobineau, seeking to contact her dead son

Edward Lu '21
Mr. Gobineau, seeking to contact his dead son

The Ghost Voices
Brianna Aubrey '22, Soprano
Amber Cai '21, Soprano
Lila Hovey '23, Mezzo Soprano
Katherine Orenstein '22, Soprano
Danielle Tamkin '23, Soprano

Funded in part by a gift from the Dartmouth Class of 1975, the Charles E. 1915 and Susan Hoyt Griffith Fund and the Leonard J. Reade 1917 American Music Fund.