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.