Oedipus rex (opera) techniques from past classical styles and from popular styles of the day as well. However, Stravinsky purposely mismatches the text subjects (in Latin) with its corresponding musical accompaniment. Bernstein even goes so far as to link the opening four-note motif sung by the chorus to a specific sung quote in Verdi's "Aida". The idea parallel of "power and pity" reigns in both operas even though the specific subject matters are quite different. Notes Sources Oedipus rex (opera) Oedipus rex is an "Opera-oratorio after Sophocles" by Igor Stravinsky, scored for orchestra, speaker, soloists, and male chorus. The libretto, based on Sophocles's
Oedipus complex unconscious guilt. Freud believed that the Oedipal sentiment has been inherited through the millions of years it took for humans to evolve from apes. He based this on his analysis of his feelings attending the play, his anecdotal observations of neurotic or normal children, and on the fact that " Oedipus Rex" was effective on both ancient and modern audiences. (He also claimed that the play "Hamlet" "has its roots in the same soil as "Oedipus Rex"", and that the differences between the two plays are revealing. "In ["Oedipus Rex"] the child’s wishful fantasy that underlies it is brought into