Here are the items that we found.
Edipo Re
Opera adaptations of Greek tragedies are nothing new, but they are typically reshaped into more traditional operatic form by a librettist. For what would become his final opera, Ruggero Leoncavallo took a bold approach, using the text of Sophocles’ play directly as his libretto—a daring choice for the time. (Even Igor Stravinsky had Jean Cocteau adapt his version of Oedipus Rex.)
Premiered posthumously in Chicago in 1921, the title role was written for Titta Ruffo. Musically, the score blends the emotional immediacy of verismo with the elegance and polish of the beaux-arts style, offering both glamour and soaring melody.
Far more than a historical curiosity, this opera makes a strong case for rediscovery.
Track List
1. Ahi! Ahi! Liberator!
2. Padre che vede i figli doloranti
3. A voi Tebani intanto ca si parlo!
4. Tu sei dinanzi al Re!
5. Ah! Tu non vedi con quanta strage inesorabile
6. La Regina! Giocasta!
2. Padre che vede i figli doloranti
3. A voi Tebani intanto ca si parlo!
4. Tu sei dinanzi al Re!
5. Ah! Tu non vedi con quanta strage inesorabile
6. La Regina! Giocasta!
7. Sire! Smarrita io ti riguardo
8. Edipo! Edipo! Non temere, il pastore verrà
9. Ditemi o buoni: dov'è la Reggia del Sire Edipo?
10. Al Re il pastore!
11. O notte orrenda, o notte eterna
8. Edipo! Edipo! Non temere, il pastore verrà
9. Ditemi o buoni: dov'è la Reggia del Sire Edipo?
10. Al Re il pastore!
11. O notte orrenda, o notte eterna
Customer Reviews
Share your experience with fellow collectors
Share Your Experience
A star rating alone is welcome, and reviews may be written in any language.
5.0
Based on 4 reviews
✓ Verified Buyer
United States
Leoncavallo: Edipo Re
Very good. Always like to hear a new Leoncavallo opera. It's been a while since I listened to it, but that was my impression.
Report
✓ Top Reviewer
United States
Very Rare Opera Worthy of Revival!
One can tell this colorful, melodic work was written for a specific singer (Titta Ruffo in this case) because it's essentially an interrupted monologue for one person. The other parts have their moments (albeit brief ones), but one personality dominates throughout the opera. The opera only runs about fifty minutes or so and would be a great curtain raiser for Pagliacci or maybe Stravinsky's more famous, but less enjoyable oratorio on the same subject.Giorgio Lormi is a magnificent Oedipus. His rolling, mahagony colored Italianate voice is perfect for the role and his crisp enunciation of the text makes his performance even more effective. He would be in great demand today when his type of voice is much rarer than it was fifty years ago. He successfully carries the opera on his shoulders. The other singers are all very good with clear diction as is the chorus. Pietro Argento leads a cogent, sympathetic performance that makes one want to hear the opera again.The sound is excellent. I was also able to find an Italian libretto online.
Report
✓ Verified Buyer
United Kingdom
✓ Top Reviewer
Australia
Welcome addition to the Leoncavallo discography
For me, this opera was a discovery and a revelation of sorts. How have I missed a Leoncavallo opera of this power, and musical interest?. It is a short opera, comparable to the length of Pagliacci. The drama rushes forward and the score invariable fine and often beautiful.The cast is a fine one: Linda Vaina has an edgy powerful soprano, ideal for the task, and the Edipo, baritone Giorgio Lorna (also new to me ) is excellent, his voice powerful and beautiful with a solid masculine core. There is a superb dramatic monologue that finishes the opera, and delivered with all the dramatic awareness and vocal bloom of a singer who deserved much greater renown.The sound is excellent.
Report
