The Birth of an Opera offers illuminating insight into how operas are written and the personalities, incidents, and musical circumstances that have shaped their composition.
Through a deft compilation of primary sources―letters, memoirs, and personal accounts from composers, librettists, and performers―Michael Rose re-creates for his readers the circumstances that gave rise to fifteen operatic milestones. From Monteverdi and Mozart to Puccini and Berg, each chapter focuses on a well-known opera and tells the story that lies behind its creation.Rather than retreading familiar ground with pages of historical and musical analysis, Rose places each opera firmly in the context of the composer’s life and provides an engaging text in which the varied and colorful personalities involved are seen to discuss, comment, and contribute in one way or another to the progress of its composition. The reader will find Mozart with a new and flamboyant librettist tackling the risky enterprise of Le Nozze di Figaro; Wagner confessing his hidden love for the woman who inspires him as he creates the passionate drama of Tristan und Isolde; Verdi deep in Shakespearian discussion with Boito as they remodel the tragedy of Otello; and Debussy coming almost literally to blows with Maeterlinck over the soprano to take the leading role in Pelléas et Mélisande.
Throughout, Rose offers his readers the most direct possible link to events that have often become twisted or obscured by operatic myth, and in so doing he captures the bizarre interactions of chance, genius, practical necessity, and dogged determination that accompanied the making of some of opera’s most enduring masterpieces.
15 photographs"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
Shipping:
US$ 4.00
Within U.S.A.
Book Description Condition: New. 2013. Hardcover. New. Dust Jacket is Fine. Seller Inventory # P008941
Book Description Hardcover. Condition: New. Dust Jacket Condition: New. New tightly bound hardcover with like DJ. 8vo. (6.5 x 1.5 x 9.6 inches) Clean text free of marks or underlining. Includes index and B&W photographs. 441 pp. Fast shipping in a secure book box mailer with tracking. Through a deft compilation of primary sources--letters, memoirs, and personal accounts from composers, librettists, and performers--Michael Rose re-creates for his readers the circumstances that gave rise to fifteen operatic milestones. From Monteverdi and Mozart to Puccini and Berg, each chapter focuses on a well-known opera and tells the story that lies behind its creation. Rather than retreading familiar ground with pages of historical and musical analysis, Rose places each opera firmly in the context of the composer's life and provides an engaging text in which the varied and colorful personalities involved are seen to discuss, comment, and contribute in one way or another to the progress of its composition. The reader will find Mozart with a new and flamboyant librettist tackling the risky enterprise of Le Nozze di Figaro; Wagner confessing his hidden love for the woman who inspires him as he creates the passionate drama of Tristan und Isolde; Verdi deep in Shakespearian discussion with Boito as they remodel the tragedy of Otello; and Debussy coming almost literally to blows with Maeterlinck over the soprano to take the leading role in Pelléas et Mélisande. Throughout, Rose offers his readers the most direct possible link to events that have often become twisted or obscured by operatic myth, and in so doing he captures the bizarre interactions of chance, genius, practical necessity, and dogged determination that accompanied the making of some of opera's most enduring masterpieces. . Seller Inventory # 2215
Book Description Hardcover. Condition: new. Brand New Copy. Seller Inventory # BBB_new0393060438
Book Description Hardcover. Condition: new. Buy for Great customer experience. Seller Inventory # GoldenDragon0393060438
Book Description Condition: New. Brand New. Seller Inventory # 9780393060430
Book Description Hardcover. Condition: new. New. Seller Inventory # Wizard0393060438
Book Description Condition: new. Seller Inventory # FrontCover0393060438
Book Description Condition: New. Book is in NEW condition. 1.9. Seller Inventory # 0393060438-2-1
Book Description Condition: New. New! This book is in the same immaculate condition as when it was published 1.9. Seller Inventory # 353-0393060438-new
Book Description Hardcover. Condition: new. New. Fast Shipping and good customer service. Seller Inventory # Holz_New_0393060438