A Hand of Bridge, opus 35, is an opera in one act composed by Samuel Barber with libretto by Gian Carlo Menotti, and is possibly the shortest opera that is regularly performed: it lasts about nine minutes. It premiered as a part of Menotti’s Festival of Two Worlds in Spoleto on 17 June 1959 at the Teatro Caio Melisso. The United States premiere occurred the next year. The opera consists of two unhappily married couples playing a hand of bridge, during which each character has an arietta in which he or she professes his or her inner desires.
| Librettist | Gian Carlo Menotti |
| Date of composition | 1959 |
| Premiered | 1959, June 17th (Teatro Caio Melisso) in Spoleto, Province of Perugia, Italy |
| Type | Opera |
| Catalogue | Op. 35 |
| Approx. duration | 9 minutes |
| Instruments |
Voice (Baritone)
- David, a florid businessman
Voice (Tenor) - Geraldine, his middle-aged wife Voice (Soprano) - Bill, a lawyer Voice (Contralto) - Sally, his wife |
| Autotranslations beta |
Samuel Barber: A Hand of Bridge, Op. 35 Samuel Barber: A Hand of Bridge, Op. 35 Samuel Barber: A Hand of Bridge, Op. 35 |