GEORGE ANTHEIL (1900-1959): The Brothers.

Description: This one-act, 54-minute tale of love, jealousy, betrayal, madness and murder sets the Cain and Abel story in post-World War II America. Dating from 1954, it's one of four operas of the same size which come from that decade. Antheil's successful career as a film music composer is to the forefront here, enabling him to quickly characterize not only the figures on the stage but the quickly changing emotions of the instant. The music is fully in his late, neo-romantic style and incorporates aspects of American popular music (setting both the scene and limning the emotions). Like an auteur of a low-budget film noir, Antheil knows what he's doing, getting in, doing the business, hitting you with the denouement and getting out before you know it's over. Bravo! Libretto included. Rebecca Nelson (soprano), Ray M. Wade, Jr. (tenor), William Dazeley (baritone), Bochum Symphony; Steven Sloane.