2: The consulate Magda is desperate to see the consul. A magician, waiting for a visa, attempts to impress the secretary by performing magic tricks and hypnotizing the rest of the room into believing they are at a ball, but he only ends up frightening her. Magda, after repeated visits, erupts in an anguished rant at the secretary, who says that she may see the consul once an "important visitor" has finished his business. This visitor proves to be the chief of police and Magda flees in terror. Act 3 Scene 1 Magda's child and mother-in-law have died. At the consul's office, Magda learns that John is planning to risk his life and return for her. A wealthy woman arrives and is immediately given a visa. Magda thinks of suicide to try to protect John, and leaves the consulate. As the office is about to shut down for the day, John suddenly arrives, but with the police in pursuit. The police capture John, and the secretary gets on the phone to try to contact Magda. Scene 2 Despondent, and with visions of her past crowding her mind, Magda turns on the gas in the oven to kill herself. Her telephone then rings, the secretary trying in vain to contact her. Recordings Newport Classic NPD 85645/2 Chandos CHAN 9706: Susan Bullock, Louis Otey, Jacalyn Kreitzer, Charles Austin, Victoria Livengood, Herbert Eckhoff, Giovanna Manci, Robin Blitch Wiper, Malin Fritz, John Horton Murray, Graeme Broadbent; Spoleto Festival Orchestra; Richard Hickox, conductor Naxos Historical 8.112023-24: Patricia Neway (Magda), Cornell MacNeil (John) and Marie Powers (Mother), conductor: Lehman Engel. This recording was made a month after the premiere with the original cast and conductor. Video: Neway, Ludgin; Torkanowsky (conductor), Jean Dalrymple (producer), 1960 (VAI) References Further reading Warrack, John and Ewan West, The Oxford Dictionary of Opera, (1992) External links , Bullock, Otey, Spoleto Festival Orchestra, Richard Hickox, , Spoleto (1998) – Chandos Operas by Gian Carlo Menotti 1950 operas English-language operas Operas Pulitzer Prize for Music-winning works New York Drama Critics' Circle Award winners Works about diplomats