Ulysses Kay: Twentieth Century Composer

Operas > The Capitoline Venus

"The Capitoline Venus," a one-act opera written in 1969, was commissioned by the Quincy Society of Fine Arts of Quincy, Illinois. Judith Dvorkin wrote the libretto based on Mark Twain's "Legend of the Capitoline Venus."

The work calls for soprano, two tenors, three baritones, and two basses, with small orchestra. The story is set in late-19th-century Rome, and revolves around a young man who must raise $50,000 before he can marry his true love.

The work was premiered by the University of Illinois Opera Group, Champaign-Urbana, on March 12, 1971, with Richard Aslanian conducting.

 

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