New-York tribune., 1921-02-20
'Edipo Re- to Have
First Local Hearing
y sA ~ =
Tomorrow NIGHT

The New York premiere and only
performance here Of "Edipo Re-" the
tragic opera in one act written for
Titta Ruffo by the late Ruggiero
Leoncavallo, with Ruffo in the leading
role, tomorrow evening, and matinee
performance Of LA Boheme." with
Nine. Amelita Galli-Curci and Tito
Schlpa, on Washington's Birthday, are
features of this weeks repertoire of
the Chicago Opera Association at the
Manhattan Opera House.
The Story of 'Edipo Re-"
This last work of the late Ruggiero
Leoncavallo was written expressly for
T'tta Ruffo, the barytone; his close
friend, and had its FIRST performance
anywhere at the hands of the Chicago
last December, with Mr.. Rutfo in the
title role. 1t is to be presented for
the first time in New York at the
Manhattan Opera House on Monday
evening, February 81, with Ruffo sing
ing the leading part.
LeoncavalIo long had felt that there
were unsual operate opportunities in
"Gdipus Rex" regarded by many au-
thorfties as the greatest of the
Sophocles tragedies, especially for the
remarkable talents Of his friend Ruffo,
and shortly before his death he com
pleted "Edipo Re-" which follows the
story of the Greek classic.
Edipo, son Of Laius, King of Thebes,
and Queen Jocasta, is destined from
birth by prophecy to be the slayer Of
his royal father and to enter thereafter
into an unholy alliance with his
mother.
In an effort to avert this double
calamity Queen Jocasta abandons Edipo
IN his infancy, leaving him on a noun
tain top to perish. However, he is
saved and taken to Polybus, King Of
Corlnth, who adopts him. He believes
himself to he the son of Polybus until
ne reaches manhood, when he learns
the truth, and of the terrible prophecy.
He also attempts to escape the fslfi-
ment of his destiny, and with this pur-
pose leaves Corinth. But on the road
he meets Laius, quarrels with The
royal attendants and kills his father.
Unconscious of the fullillment of the
hrst part Of the prophecy, Edipo goes
70 ihebes, delivers the city from the
SPHINX by guessing her riddle, and is
rewarded with the kingdom. He weds
the widowed Queen Jocasta, not know
ing her Identity nor she his, and chill.
dren are born to them.
Angered by the double crime corn
mltted by Edipo, the gods send plague
upon 1hebes, Edipo in alarm sends his
Dr9ther-ln-law, Creon, to the Oracle at
De!ph1. The Oracle directs the The
pans to expel the murderer Of Laius
II they would have relief. The Theban
inquiry which follows brings the dread
fuI secret to light Queen Jocasta com
mits suicide and Edipo blinds himssls
lt seems an unloveIy theme SAYS
Iitta Ruffo, "but it must be remeni-
oered that the tragedy is one of the
classics Of Greek literature.
"Leoncavallo has depicted the swift
movement OF the story in q mastery
way and the tragic climax is described
by ali outhurst of music that transcends
anything else that came from his gifted
pen.
THAT the great Leoneavallo com,
posed this opera especially for my
voice is, of course, a cause of much
qualification to me. There are two big
ming of the opera and the other at the
close. 1t is to be regretted that he
could not live 70 see his masterwork
produced"
The Weeks Repertoire
In "Edipo Re" Mr.. Ruffo, in the title
role, Will be supported by Dorothy
l taACLsf ALosFt rait4sfQt Aeonlo Den
tale, Desire Defrere and Lodovico Oil
yiero. Gino Marinuzzi WIFI conduct.
Following the opera, as the second part.
OF a double bill, the "Danse Macabre,"
ballet in one act with music by Saint
Saens. will be given by Andreas Pavley
and Serge Oukrainsky, assisted by Le-
dowa, Nemeroff, Shermont, Bagmare.
Elisus, Milar, Randolph and Dolly. The
conductor will be Pietro Cimini.
La Boheme." at the extra matinee
on Tuesday, Washington's Birthday,
will be marked by the first appearance
of the season in New York Of Alessan
dro Bonci, the leading tenor of the
Hammerstein forces more than q dec
ade ago at the Manhattan. and one of
the first operate artists OF his geaera-
tCorttnued on next paxe)