Word: annina
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Dates: during 1950-1959
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...librettist, Menotti sets the scene in New York's Little Italy, and superimposes the sometimes gay, sometimes squalid American lives of its citizens on their Old World traditions. This time, the conflict between faith and reason is personified by Annina, the young and sickly "saint" who has visions of the Crucifixion and shows the holy stigmata on Good Fridays, and her rebellious brother Michele, who thinks religion is fanaticism. Annina yearns to become a nun, but Michele thinks her visions are delusions and tries to prevent her from taking the veil...
...excellent hand at concocting workable dramatic episodes. Moment by moment, he has his audience believing in his action, even if it is laden with stereotypes. Each of his five scenes works to a strong, stirring climax. Michele drives the gawking neighbors out of his cold-water flat after Annina's vision. During a religious parade, he is beaten and shackled to a steel fence in symbolic martyrdom. He stabs his mistress after she accuses him of incestuous love for Annina. In a bleak subway station, he curses Annina when she insists on taking the veil. And finally Annina becomes...
What does she ever do for you, except light candles for your soul?"). Virginia Copeland, steadily dramatic as Annina...