Gian Carlo Menotti was one of the most important 20th-century composers of opera working in the United States.

The Old Maid and the Thief and The Medium are brilliant studio recordings from the early years of television. The two operas depict everyday stories about personal relationships and crime in America during the first half of the 20th century.

The performances are given by a first-rate cast, including Elisabeth Höngen, Eberhard Waechter and Olive Moorefield. An important document of operatic and film history, this restored recording is available on DVD for the first time.

Historical Studio Production, 1961 & 1964.

Contents:
Die Alter Jungfer und der Dieb (The Old Maid and the Thief)
Cast:
- Miss Todd: Elisabeth Höngen
- Laetitia: Olive Moorefield
- Miss Pinkerton: Hilde Konetzni
- Bob: Eberhard Waechter
Conducted by Wolfgang Rennert

Das Medium / The Medium
Cast:
- Madame Flora: Elisabeth Höngen
- Monika Maria: José De Vine
- Toby: Nino Albanese
- Mrs Nolan: Hilde Konetzni
Conducted by Armando Aliberti

Director: Otto Schenk
Set Design: Gerhard Hruby

Bonus: Interview with Otto Schenk

Sound Format: PCM Mono
Picture Format: 4:3
DVD Format: DVD 9, NTSC
Running Time: 117 mins (Opera), 10 mins (Bonus)
Subtitle Languages: DE, IT, GB, FR, ES, JP
FSK: 0
Region Code: 0
Worldwide available