Speranza
Le Maschere - CD Review
By Yonel Buldrini
2004
Yonel Buldrini reviews with enthusiasm the recent release of a 2-CD set of Le Maschere published on label Kicco, from a performance recorded live in Livorno in 2001.
Added October 11, 2004 - 1081 words
The Unjustly Neglected Works of Pietro Mascagni
By William Schoell
July 1997
William Schoell offers in this article a survey of Mascagni's operatic output, from "Cavalleria Rusticana" to Nerone, highlighting Mascagni's taste for experimentation.
Added August 8, 2004 - 1639 words
Pietro Mascagni between Vistilia and Nerone
By Roberto Bianchini
Rassegna Musicale Curci, anno LI n. 1 - gennaio 1998, January 1998
Roberto Bianchini's article discusses the relationship between Vistilia and Nerone, the two operas of Roman background on which Mascagni worked over decades.
The former never saw the light of day (although the libretto was published in 1900), and the latter premiered in 1935.
Upon listening to Nerone and learning that Mascagni "reused" music written decades earlier, many have been wondering what music was actually reused and what music was composed specifically for Nerone.
This article offers some good answers. The article is available in English translation as well as in original Italian.
Added July 18, 2004 - 2259 words
Zandonai: Mascagni's "Student"
By Konrad Dryden
February 2004
Konrad Dryden tackles the relationship between Mascagni and Riccardo Zandonai, the composer of the superb Francesca da Rimini.
Added February 2004 - 1312 words
Mascagni in San Francisco
By Erik Bruchez
September 2003
After introducing the difficult beginning of Mascagni's first and only North American tour in 1902-1903, Erik Bruchez retraces the successes that marked Mascagni's stay in San Francisco in early 1903.
Added September 2003 - 1445 words
Alan Mallach's Pietro Mascagni and His Operas
By Roger Flury
June 2003
Roger Flury reviews Alan Mallach's new biography, Pietro Mascagni and His Operas.
Added June 2003 - 1196 words
Poetry and Music: Pietro Mascagni's Parisina
By Alessandro Rizzacasa
Tetraktýs, September 2000
The author begins with a review of the CD from the performance of Parisina that took place in Montpellier in July 1999.
He follows with considerations about the opera, discussing in particular the criticisms that have historically been directed at the work.
He concludes with comments about the unfortunate attitude some critics have today when writing about opera.
The article is available in English translation as well as in original Italian.
Added August 2001 - 5804 words
On the Genesis of Cavalleria Rusticana
By Maria Nockin
May 2000
Maria Nockin recounts the major events of Mascagni's life up to the composition and premiere of Cavalleria Rusticana.
Added May 2000 - 1341 words
Other Texts (5 documents)
Regina della Scala
1937
Added May 13, 2003 - 1540 words
Rapsodia Satanica
By Fausto Maria Martini
1915
This poem was published in 1915, year of the premiere of the film Rapsodia Satanica for which Mascagni composed music.
There are clues that suggest that a page of text may be missing in the original booklet.
On the other hand, a version of the poem republished in a later anthology does not contain additional text, but adds a colon where the page was suspected to be missing.
A reference to a footnote marks the point where text may be missing.
Added May 13, 2003 - 2277 words
Viola Allen in Hall Caine's New Play - The Eternal City
1902
Added May 13, 2003 - 3554 words
Le Passant
By François Coppée
1889
4436 words
Cavalleria Rusticana
By Giovanni Verga
1880
This short story by Giovanni Verga is the source for Mascagni's famous opera.
It was first published in
"Fanfulla della domenica" of March 14, 1880, and then in the collection
"Vita dei Campi" in August 1880 (ed. Treves, Milan).
1947 words
Historical Articles (17 documents)
Pietro Mascagni - A Tragic Figure?
By Dr. Waldemar Schweisheimer
The Etude Magazine, April 1946
Added May 12, 2001 - 1767 words
Pietro Mascagni Dies in Rome At Age of 81
Musical America, August 1945
This obituary was published in August 1945, very shortly after Mascagni died.
The article contains lots of errors and imprecisions and is presented here as a document.
Do not rely too much on the information presented in this article.
Added September 3, 2002 - 590 words
Cavalleria's Crown
Time Magazine, August 13, 1945
This obituary was published in Time Magazine a little over a week after Mascagni's passing.
It is hard to imagine a more misinformed piece, which borders on hatred for the composer and his pre- and post-Cavalleria achievements.
The article was written at a difficult time, and the focus of the author on Fascism may be understandable, but it is extremely reductive.
Mascagni's relationship with the Fascist regime is today better understood, thanks in particular to Alan Mallach's biography, which makes it clear that Mascagni was no Fascist activist, and that his support for the regime was mostly ornamental.
This article is published here to illustrate the extremes that Mascagni's critics have too often reached.
The footnotes are Mascagni.org's.
Added November 8, 2003 - 306 words
Pietro Mascagni è morto
Il Tirreno, August 3, 1945
Added August 10, 2003 - 2239 words
Roistering Nights
Time Magazine, September 6, 1926
This article was published in the Time Magazine of September 6, 1926.
The author is unknown. The article contains its share of typos and inexactitudes - don't rely on it for facts about how Mascagni got to write Cavalleria Rusticana!
Added September 9, 2001 - 1200 words
Come è nata Parisina
By Pietro Mascagni
La Lettura, January 1914
This article was written by Mascagni in late 1913 and published in La Lettura in January 1914.
Added April 1, 2003 - 4980 words
Mascagni's New Opera, Parisina
By Emil Thieben
Musik Zeitung, 1913
In this article from 1913, Emil Thieben describes the high anticipation generated in Italy by Mascagni's latest opera, Parisina.
After a detailed synopsis of the plot, he gives his impression of the premiere of the opera, mainly from a musical standpoint.
The article is available in English translation as well as in original German.
Added August 15, 2004 - 2266 words
Opera Makers of To-day
By Giacomo Minkowsky
Munsey's Magazine, 1903
Added June 22, 2003
Le avventure di Mascagni in America. Il giro trionfale della Duse negli Stati Uniti.
By Carlo Paladini
L'Illustrazione Italiana, March 1, 1903
This article was published in L'Illustrazione Italiana of March 1, 1903.
The author, Carlo Paladini, tells of how he met by chance at a Florence restaurant Mr. Joseph Smith, a manager involved with Mascagni's arrest during his US tour, and also manager of Eleonora Duse. Follows a fairly unstructured conversation where the author tries to obtain useful information from a fairly secretive and defensive Mr. Smith. The article features a photograph of Mascagni, his wife, and Mr. Smith aboard the Philadelphia on the way to the United States.
Added November 12, 2005 - 2347 words
Le sfortune di Mascagni in America
La Domenica del Corriere, December 21, 1902
Added April 1, 2003 - 216 words
Corriere della settimana
Corriere Illustrato della Domenica, November 23, 1902
Added April 1, 2003 - 328 words
Mascagni in America
By Henry T. Finck
The Independent, October 30, 1902
Henry T. Finck wrote this article at the beginning of Mascagni's 1902-1903 American tour.
Most of his facts are correct, and his desire to see Guglielmo Ratcliff performed is quite justified.
However his appreciation of Zanetto and Iris is misguided and typical of a misunderstanding of Mascagni's operatic output, which consists in expecting his other operas to sound like Cavalleria Rusticana.
This attitude unfortunately persists today.
Added July 20, 2003 - 2043 words
The Legacy of the Century
By Pietro Mascagni
Century Library of Music 16 Cosmopolitan, 1901
This article was originally published as Il testamento del secolo: Evoluzione della Musica., Cronaca Musicale, Milan, 15 March, 1900, as an address given at the Teatro Goldoni in Venice.
The English edition presented here was published in The Century Library of Music 16: 517-540. New York, 1901, and later in the International Library of Music for Home and Studio, vol. 2. New York: The University Society, 1925. Pages 441-463.
Added April 5, 2003 - 11709 words
Mascagni And His New Opera
By Alma Dalma
Cosmopolitan, 1897
This article was published in 1897 and contains some imprecisions, in particular in the synopsis of "Iris".
It is presented here as a document. Do not rely too much on the information presented in this article.
Added December 13, 2002 - 1601 words
Pietro Mascagni, the Author of the Cavalleria Rusticana
By Ashton R. Willard
New England Magazine, Volume VIII, March 1893 - August, 1893, 1893
Added April 26, 2003 - 6094 words
"Die Rantzau", Oper von Pietro Mascagni
By K. v. Mittelstädt
Deutsche Illustrierte Zeitung, No. 27, 1893
This article was published in an 1893 issue of the Deutsche Illustrierte Zeitung (German Illustrated Newspaper). The beginning of the article is missing, but probably amounts to a few paragraphs at most. The actual title of the article is unknown.
The author starts by explaining the reasons of the success of I Rantzau in Berlin, a success not simply explained by the musical quality of the work.
He then talks about the speed at which Cavalleria spread through Europe, making Mascagni suddenly famous and rich.
He mentions Mascagni's life before Cavalleria and the composition of the opera with the collaboration or his librettists.
He moves on to I Rantzau. He mentions the origin of the libretto and summarizes the plot.
Although according to him the musical treatment does not appear as fitting as in Cavalleria Rusticana, the opera does not lack memorable pieces. Finally, he praises the German premiere of I Rantzau that took place in Berlin on February 25, 1893.
The article is illustrated with a full-page (27.8 x 37.4 cm) engraving showing scenes from I Rantzau (see the original document). The engraving is entitled "Die Rantzau", Oper von Pietro Mascagni. Originalzeichnung von Alb. Wirth. ("The Rantzau", opera of Pietro Mascagni. Original drawing by Alb. Wirth.).
Added June 22, 2003 - 686 words
Mascagni's I Rantzau
Fall 1892
This article was probably published around the fall of 1892 after the Rome performances of I Rantzau. The author's name and exact date of publication are unknown.
Added April 30, 2001 - 2239 words
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