Medium, The, is an opera in two acts by the Italian-born American composer Gian Carlo Menotti, who also wrote the libretto (text). It was first performed at Columbia University, New York, on May 8, 1946.
The Medium is set in the present-day United States. It tells the story of Madame Flora, who professes to be a medium (spiritualist). Helped by her daughter Monica, and Toby, a young man who cannot speak, Madame Flora cheats those who consult her. During a séance, she suddenly feels a hand around her throat and, in a fit of panic, confesses that she is a fraud. Her clients do not believe her. However, the experience greatly upsets her and she loses her nerve. Madame Flora beats Toby and drives him from her house. She starts drinking heavily. Toby, in love with Monica, breaks into the house at night to find her. He hides behind a puppet theater. But a sound awakens Madame Flora, and she takes out a gun. When she sees the curtains of the puppet theater move, she shoots, killing Toby. The opera ends with her screaming out, “I’ve killed the ghost!”
