Show Ruggiero Leoncavallo Ruggiero Ruggiero Leoncavallo was born in Na Naples pIes ples in iss and began his studies In the Conservatory at 8 receiving lila his diploma at 16 The of Bologna pre pro presented presented I him with the degree of doctor of letters at 30 20 He began his public work as a concert pianist in Egypt When the war broke out with England he barely escaped with his life lIe by a hour ride in Arab costume He arrived in I Port Said absolutely penniless but made mad enough at a private concert to take him to Paris where in the depths of want ho be was forced to become an accompanist In cafe concerts He very er soon began giving gling singing lessons but disliking it exceedingly he desperately set lIet to work on the words and music of which was finished in five fIc months I l is based upon a 11 similar incident which happened in his own life when ho hr was a child and which made mado a adeep adeep adeep deep Impression upon him Among his Inter later successful operas are La Tosca Tosea La Boheme and Zaza which is at present ver very popular in Europe Leon Leoncavallo Leoncavallo Leoncavallo cavallo is one of the most popular awl successful of the modern modem composers ills HIJ music Is original charming and brilliant and he especially excels in orchestration which is always beautiful and rich richI I 1 is a play within a play which opens with the famous prologue beloved of every ser baritone sung In of or the curtain A troupe of players arrive arrhe in the Italian village are warmly welcomed by b the people The beautiful Nedda married to Canio whom she does not love is infatuated with Silvio a villager lIIa er and in turn she sh is mad marl madly madly ly Iy loved by Tonio whom the fhe scorns an ani I t cuts across the face lac ncr with her whip This infuriates him and overhearing her plan planning fling ning to elope clop elo with Silvio he Informs Ho He rushes home but Silvio es escapes escapEs capes apes and amid is s not recognized and Nedda idda refuses to lo disclose his lila identity l At As s refuses to lo disclose his lila identity l At As s is about to stab his bits wife the summons comes fur the time opening of ot their play pIa The Time second act opens with the villagers as assembled assembled for or the performance Nedda as a Columbine listens to the love loe songs of nf Harlequin Tonio as the fool enters to serve them supper and as In real life makes love loe to her who repulses him scornfully scorn full The fool returns with the husband Punchinello who Toh finds Colum Column Columbine Columbine bine and her over planning to poison him The Thc anger he shows becomes ter terribly terribly real feRI He lIe rushes upon her demand demanding demandIng ing the name of her h r lover loer Nedda sees her danger banger and calls callI to Silvio to sae save her but he leaps upon the stage stace sta e too late hate lat Canto stabs slabs Nedda edda and then Silvi Silvie Time Tile music of this thill fiery melodrama is I eon con consistent making an effective and enhancing enhancIng ing accompaniment to the story stor |