Menotti, Gian Carlo. (1911–2007) [Scott, Howard, (1920–2012)]
Typed Letter Signed regarding "Amahl and the Night Visitors"
TLS of the notable Italian-American composer to the influential producer Howard Scott, then at G. Schirmer, Inc., New York. August 14, 1980. In English. 1 p. Personal letterhead paper with the address of Yester House, Menotti's country mansion in Scotland. The letter discusses video clips from two of Menotti's operas—Amahl and the Night Visitors and The Saint of Bleecker Street—to be used in a forthcoming program on French TV. In full: "Thank you for your cable. The 'Amahl' clip might just as well be sent straight to France. It should be sent to / Société Française de Production,/ 36 rue des Alouettes, / Paris 75019 / for the attention of Mr. J.P. Nicole, Room 2274. / Do tell Miss de Paul however that I find it a little bit strange that they should have chosen [Teresa] Stratas's aria, being practically the only moment in the opera where Amahl is not seen. The opera, after all, is about the child and not about his mother. Could they possibly add the sequence where Amahl beats the Page and then falls into his mother's arms? / As for 'The Saint of Blee[c]ker Street', I am quite sure French T.V. would be willing to pay something for the use of three or four minutes of it. I would not think the cost of such a small clip would be prohibitive. Do please let me know exactly to whom they should address their request and discuss the charge. / With my thanks for your help, / Yours sincerely, /Gian Carlo Menotti." Date of receipt (August 20, 1980) hand stamped in red to head. Two marginal notes in pencil: "got union clearance" regarding Amahl and the Night Visitors and "Can't get Union Clearance 'Soberman'[?]" regarding The Saint of Bleecker Street. Repair to head; some creases. 10 x 8 inches (25.5 x 20.5 cm).It is notable that the (public) TV corporation of a country that was a stronghold of the post-war serialist avant-garde would at last produce a feature on the aesthetically conservative opera composer in 1980. Nothing is known about the reservations of the (musicians') union regarding the release of the clips.
Howard Scott made himself a name as part of the team at Columbia Records that introduced the long-playing vinyl record in 1948 before going on to produce albums with the New York Philharmonic, Glenn Gould, Isaac Stern and many other classical musicians. He worked at Columbia until 1961, and then at MGM Records, RCA Red Seal, the publisher G. Schirmer and the Rochester Philharmonic, where he was executive manager in the 1970s. (23130)
TLS Opera