Lodoletta
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Lodoletta is a dramma lirico or lyric opera in three acts by Pietro Mascagni. The libretto is by Giovacchino Forzano, and is based on the novel Two Little Wooden Shoes by Ouida (pseudonym of Marie Louise de la Ramée).
An auction of her property, including musical rights for Two Little Wooden Shoes, was held to satisfy local creditors when Ouida died in Italy in 1908. Giacomo Puccini attempted to buy them but was outbid by a local tradesman. The winner subsequently resold them to a music publisher, which provided them to Mascagni for development into the opera.[1]
Performance history
It was first performed at the Teatro Costanzi in Rome on 30 April 1917 with Rosina Storchio in the title role. The American premiere was on 12 January 1918 at the Metropolitan Opera, New York City, with Geraldine Farrar as Lodoletta and Enrico Caruso as Flammen.
Roles
| Role | Voice type | Premiere cast, 30 April 1917[2][3] Conductor: Pietro Mascagni |
|---|---|---|
| Lodoletta | soprano | Rosina Storchio |
| La pazza | contralto | Cleofe Braghini |
| Maud | soprano | Luigia Pieroni |
| La vanard | soprano | Ida De Filippis |
| Flammen | tenor | Giuseppe Campioni |
| Giannotto | baritone | Enrico Molinari |
| Franz | baritone | Leone Paci |
| Antonio | bass | Augusto Dadò |
| A voice/a postman | tenor | Ettore Bonzi |
