The Bell Tower is a chamber opera in one act by Ernst Krenek, his Op. 153. The English libretto by the composer was inspired by the short story by Herman Melville (collected in The Piazza Tales), the events only mysteriously hinted at in the story becoming a point of departure for the explicit dramatic action of Krenek's piece.author's forward in Prosa Dramen Verse (1965) It was commissioned by the Fromm Foundation and written in 1955–56, receiving its premiere on 17 March 1957 at the University of Illinois (recorded on CRS 5).
Roles Role workpage at /datenbank.krenek.atVoice typePremiere Cast, (Conductor:John Garvey)Bannadonna, bell-caster and architectbaritone Manfred CapellGiovanni, foremanbass William OlsonUna, Bannadonna's daughtersopranoDonna Sue BurtonTwo SenatorsBaritone & TenorDan MacDonald, Donald PaschkeTwo workersTenor & BaritoneEdward Levy, Bruce GovichStatueJohn WilsonChorus of citizens, workersSATB Orchestra: 1.1.1.0-0.1.1.0-perc-pft-str (offstage: 2tpt, trmb, sn-dr.) References Notes
Sources Stewart, John L., Ernst Krenek: The Man and His Music. University of California Press, 1991
External links Melville's story at the Gutenburg Project Recording of premiere