OPERA AS MODERN DRAMA

Chapter:

CHAPTER 11 Artist, Politician, Farmer (Class of 1813, II)

Source:

MUSIC IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY

Author(s):

Richard Taruskin

The third and final act of Rigoletto gives us Verdi's irony at fullest strength. It is perhaps the most “Shakespearean” scene in all of Verdi despite its source in Hugo, and Verdi knew it. “Le Roi s'amuse,” he wrote to Piave,

is the greatest subject and perhaps the greatest drama of modern times. Triboulet is a creation worthy of Shakespeare!! What is Ernani next to him?!! This is a subject that cannot fail. You know that six years ago, when Ernani was proposed to me, I exclaimed: Yes, by God, it can't miss. Now, going over several subjects, when Le Roi crossed my mind it was like a flash, an inspiration, and I said the same thing: Yes, by God, it can't miss.²³

Citation (MLA):

Richard Taruskin. "Chapter 11 Artist, Politician, Farmer (Class of 1813, II)." The Oxford History of Western Music. Oxford University Press. New York, USA. n.d. Web. 21 Sep. 2023. <https://www.oxfordwesternmusic.com/view/Volume3/actrade-9780195384833-div1-011006.xml>.

Citation (APA):

Taruskin, R. (n.d.). Chapter 11 Artist, Politician, Farmer (Class of 1813, II). In Oxford University Press, Music in the Nineteenth Century. New York, USA. Retrieved 21 Sep. 2023, from https://www.oxfordwesternmusic.com/view/Volume3/actrade-9780195384833-div1-011006.xml

Citation (Chicago):

Richard Taruskin. "Chapter 11 Artist, Politician, Farmer (Class of 1813, II)." In Music in the Nineteenth Century, Oxford University Press. (New York, USA, n.d.). Retrieved 21 Sep. 2023, from https://www.oxfordwesternmusic.com/view/Volume3/actrade-9780195384833-div1-011006.xml