The Hero is a three-act opera by Italian-American composer Gian Carlo Menotti commissioned by the Opera Company of Philadelphia, to celebrate the United States Bicentennial. The work premiered at the Philadelphia Academy of Music on June 1, 1976. At this point of his career, Menotti's style of composition, which rejected the avant-garde, was out of favor with the classical music world. Time stated in its review of the opera, "Most of Menotti's music is passable Puccini: melodic, easy to take—and totally beside the point in 1976."
Roles RoleVoice typePremiere Cast, 1 June 1976 (Conductor: Christopher Keene) David Murphy baritone Dominic Cossa Mildred Murphy, David’s wife mezzo-soprano Diane Curry Barbara, David’s cousin soprano Nancy Shade Dr. Briankoff tenor David Griffith The Mayor bass Gary Kendall The Shopkeeper bass Walter Knetlar The Jeweler tenor William AustinThe Guidebaritone Richard ShappHusband of tourist couple #1baritone Jonathan ReinholdWife of tourist couple #1mezzo-soprano Fredda RakusinHusband of tourist couple #2tenor Paul Spencer AdkinsWife of tourist couple #2soprano Hazelita Fauntroy
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