Ruggiero Leoncavallo
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LISTENING TO MUSICVERISMOVerismo: the trend of “Realism” in late 19th century Italian operaFeatures “everyday” characters (lower social class), dicey situations; drama often involves love, betrayal, jealousy, often death/murder; featured in music 1890-early 1900s.PIETRO MASCAGNI (1863-1945) Italian composerOpera: Cavalleria rusticana (Rustic Chivalry) 1890 *Orchestral excerpt: “Intermezzo” (used in movies, TV commercials)RUGGIERO LEONCAVALLO (1858-1919) Italian composerOpera: Pagliacci (The Strolling Players) 1892Characters: Canio- leader of the traveling players, betrayed husband Nedda- his wife, having an affair with Silvio Tonio- performer/clown, likes Nedda but plans revenge after she responds rudely to his declaration of loveLISTENING: Aria: Vesti la giubba (End of Act One) sung by Canio (tenor) Consumed with despair on discovering his wifes infidelity, Canio gets ready for the next performance although he is heartbroken, because the show must go on
His music and opera plots contain many of the hallmarks of the Romantic period, along with a more contemporary presentation of life’s harsh realities.His stories often highlight the heroines and their difficult situations, which may present them with making a choice with seemingly no good option/outcome. pianist in Lucca, town where he was born performance of Verdi’s “AIDA” inspires him to compose operasAttends Milan Conservatory1884 Le Villi performed in Milan1889 Edgar1893 Manon Lescaut performed in Turin; gains international recognitionLa boheme (Turin)Tosca (Rome)1904 Madama Butterfly (Milan) Personal:1903 bad car accident1904*Marriage to Elvira Geminiani, mother of his son born 18861905-09 Domestic crisis and court case with much publicity; no music composed1910 The Girl of the Golden West Il Trittico Three one act operas: Il Tabarro, Suor Angelica, Gianni Schicchi (*aria:O mio babbino caro)1921 Began work on Turandot1924 Died in Brussels; Turandot completed by others, premiere in 1926LA BOHEME (The Bohemian Girl) 1896Set in Paris, on the Left Bank, around 1830Characters: Rodolfo, a poetMimi, a seamtress and maker of silk flowersMarcello, a painter and friend of Rudolfo and Musetta Marcello’s girlfriend (*famous aria Musetta’s Waltz)ACT ONE: Several poor artistic friends share a poor garret apartment. The landlord has come asking for the rent. After getting him out (without paying anything!), Rodolfo’s friends head to the Café Momus. Rodolfo stays behind to do some writing when there is a knock at the door. Mimi, a neighbor, needs to borrow a match to relight her candle. She is headed out the door, and realizes she has lost her key. As the two search for it, Rodolfo’s hand touches hers.Rodolfo’s aria: Che gelida manina (Your cold little hand)