The Problem of Libretto Interpretation in Marco Sofianopulo’s Opera “The Legend of the Ancient Mariner”: Between the Poetic Source and Musical Dramaturgy

The objective of the study is to explore Marco Sofianopulo’s The Legend of the Ancient Mariner (2009) as a unique operatic adaptation of Coleridge’s poem The Rime of the Ancient Mariner, focusing on its symbolic, literary, and musical interpretations. The research seeks to understand how the opera reflects archetypal themes and personal identity through the central figure of the Mariner. The study employs a combined methodology of content and musical analysis. Findings and Conclusions. The Legend of the Ancient Mariner (2009) is the only opera composed by Marco Sofianopulo (1952–2014), a Triestinian composer of Greek origin. Based on The Rime of the Ancient Mariner by Samuel Taylor Coleridge and adapted by Paolo Magris, the work premiered at the Greek National Opera in 2010. This study explores the opera’s message, focusing on the relationship between the original poem, the libretto, and its musical setting. Content analysis is used to examine the adaptation of the poem into the libretto, while musical analysis investigates how the text is interpreted in music. The findings are contextualized through Tarasti’s theory of myth and Greimas’s actantial model, which analyze opposing forces in narrative structures. The libretto retains core themes of legend, sin, and repentance, omitting more doctrinal elements like prolonged punishment or religious salvation. Instead, it emphasizes human experience and ethical reflection, suggesting that moral values should guide human actions. Sofianopulo’s music provides a clear and emotionally rich narrative. Tonal choices reflect both linguistic expression (e.g., screams, laments) and cultural codes (e. g., joy in major, sorrow in minor). His music also offers commentary on the libretto, deepening its emotional and interpretative layers. Examples include the minor third in “I have won!”— hinting at inner defeat— and contrasting D tetrachords, symbolizing conditional salvation. The composer’s musical language acts both as support and critique of the libretto, transforming it into a fully realized operatic work. He brings psychological depth to characters, particularly the Mariner, emphasizing their human complexity. Ultimately, Sofianopulo presents a 21st-century interpretation of Coleridge’s myth, uniting text and music to convey a humanistic message. The opera stands as a testament to the power of interdisciplinary artistic synthesis in modern culture.