Gianandrea Noseda and the National Symphony Orchestra present a captivating new recording of Samuel Barber's Vanessa, the Pulitzer Prize-winning American opera about love, longing, and illusion. Barber's evocative, emotionally charged score blends echoes of Verdi, Puccini, and Hollywood's Hitchcock era with an unmistakably modern American voice. This performance brings together an extraordinary cast, including Nicole Heaston, J'Nai Bridges, Matthew Polenzani, Susan Graham, and Thomas Hampson, who bring Gian Carlo Menotti's gripping tale of cross-generational desire to life. Recorded live during a concert performance, this release captures the overwhelming romanticism and psychological depth of Vanessa with vivid orchestral colors and exceptional vocal artistry. This groundbreaking new addition to contemporary opera discography demonstrates why Vanessa remains one of the most compelling operas of the 20th century.