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 Rex ability, as seen in "Oedipus at Colonus". It is deliberately ironic that the "seer" can "see" better than Oedipus, despite being blind. In one line (Oedipus the king, 469), Tiresias says: ""So, you mock my blindness? Let me tell you this. You [Oedipus] with your precious eyes, you're blind to the corruption of your life ..."" (Robert Fagles 1984) Sigmund Freud in "Interpretation of Dreams" wrote a notable passage regarding of the destiny of Oedipus as well as the Oedipus complex. He analyzes why this play, "Oedipus Rex", written in Ancient Greece, is so effective even to a modern audience.