I saw a rather interesting production of "Rigoletto" on A&E done by Jonathan Miller where he sets the opera in New York's Little Italy in the Fifties. It worked quite well.
I've always found it interesting that the only honest man in the opera is a hit man. Sparafucile gives you esactly what you pay for!
The marriage of
Scott Joplin and Belle frayed in 1905. She had little interest or aptitude for music, and Scott’s attempt to teach her violin was a failure. It was not a marriage of people with similar interests.
That year produced five pieces. The first was lost until 1950 when it turned up in St. Louis.
Joplin: “Leola”
This waltz is a masterpiece and one of my personal favorites. I love playing this number at the piano, and that G to E-flat to G chord change at the end is a miracle. This is Joshua Rifkin’s 1971 recording where he plays it with a wonderful sense of freedom.
”Bethena”
This is a rollicking march,
”Rosebud”
A minor gem.
”Bink’s Waltz”
A fine contemplative piece that makes me want to go back in time. There is a wonderful sense of grace to this rag.
”Eugenia”
