Re your comments on the La Gioconda libretto (which admittedly is terrible and illogical). I have now read the play that was the source of the story: Victor Hugo's ANGELO, TYRANT OF PADUA. While the names and some of the professions have been changed, and while that plot is even more fantastic in its way, it is a paragon of clarity compared to what Boito did to it. Once you have read the play, the opera is far more understandable -- and so is the fact that Boito had a long way to go before being able to triumph with Otello and Falstaff. No wonder he had so many problems with his own operas!
AMERICAN SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Leon Botstein, Music Director
Celebrates its 46th Season with:
ÉDOUARD LALO'S LE ROI D'YS
A tale of passion, scorn and redemption.
A city faced with watery annihilation.
And the King's daughter behind it all.
Friday, October 3rd at 8PM
Avery Fisher Hall, Lincoln Center
FOR TICKETS CALL : 212.868.9ASO
or VISIT WWW.AMERICANSYMPHONY.ORG
Join Maestro Leon Botstein 75 minutes prior to performance for an illuminating pre-concert discussion. Located at the Avery Fisher Hall Mainstage.
Posted by: American Symphony Orchestra | September 26, 2008 at 12:40 PM
Re your comments on the La Gioconda libretto (which admittedly is terrible and illogical). I have now read the play that was the source of the story: Victor Hugo's ANGELO, TYRANT OF PADUA. While the names and some of the professions have been changed, and while that plot is even more fantastic in its way, it is a paragon of clarity compared to what Boito did to it. Once you have read the play, the opera is far more understandable -- and so is the fact that Boito had a long way to go before being able to triumph with Otello and Falstaff. No wonder he had so many problems with his own operas!
Posted by: Clare Juddson Kagel | September 27, 2008 at 03:25 PM
Thanks, Clare, I really did wonder about just that possibility, but didn't have the time to track down the play and read it beforehand.
Posted by: Steve Smith | September 27, 2008 at 10:08 PM