Once you get past the recitiative with brass accompaniment, the tenor has to begin his opening aria backed only by a pair of oboes and some pizzicato strings. It's like a trapeze artist working without a net. That high note is a killer in and of itself.
Verdi sets a high bar for his Radames.
In 1903,
Scott Joplin began work on an opera, “A Guest of Honor”, which created friction between himself and Stark. John was content to issue piano rags and make a lot of money for himself and Scott, but Joplin wanted something bigger. Scott saw himself as a serious composer, but John, always the astute businessman with an eye on the bottom line, saw himself as a realist. Joplin registered the opera with the copyright office in Washington, but the score never arrived. There is a story that a dress rehearsal was staged in St. Louis, but no one is sure if that is true.
Two pieces were published in 1903. The first is just plain wonderful.
Joplin: “Weeping Willow’”
”Palm Leaf Rag”
In 1904, St. Louis got its own World’s Fair. Scott Joplin and Belle bought themselves a 13 room mansion which they turned into a boarding house. That year Joplin published four pieces.
The first was actually written in 1898 in Sedalia and finally published by the A. W. Perry firm.
Joplin: “The Favorite”
The others were published by John Stark.
”The Sycamore”
This was based on a watercourse that was a major part of the World’s Fair.
”The Cascades”
This is best played at slower pace due to its contemplative nature.
”The Chrysanthemum”