Opera, a history / Christopher Headington, Roy Westbrook, Terry Barfoot.

Author/creator Headington, Christopher
Other author Westbrook, Roy.
Other author Barfoot, Terry.
Format Book
EditionFirst U.S. edition.
Publication InfoNew York : St. Martin's Press, ©1987.
Description399 pages, 24 unnumbered pages of plates : illustrations ; 24 cm
Subjects
Opera.

Contents Origins -- Seventeenth-century Italy -- French opera -- England and Germany -- Italian high Baroque and Gluck's reforms -- Mozart and his contemporaries -- Heroic and lyrical operas in Paris 1760-1875 -- German romantic opera -- Italy in the Primo Ottocento -- Wagner's music dramas -- Verdi -- Verismo -- Russia -- Eastern Europe -- Later French opera -- Younger national traditions -- The early twentieth century: symbol and expression -- The later Strauss and the mid-twentieth century -- Opera today.
Abstract Taking the reader through the tangled web of opera's opulent history, this book traces its roots back to Ancient Greek music dramas, through the medieval Christian and secular musical plays, to the Renaissance and to the prolific 17th century. It continues with detailed accounts of the 18th century--when opera became a household word--the High Baroque, the French and German heroic and romantic comedies, the great Italian period and the contemporary works of, amongst others, Glass and Birtwistle. This anecdotal study frequently touches on other aspects of opera, including its settings and economics and the social, political and even religious or philosophical elements.
Bibliography noteIncludes bibliographical references (pages 366-375) and index.
ISBN0312015852 :
ISBN9780312015855

Availability

Library Location Call Number Status Item Actions
Music Closed Stacks - Ask at Circulation Desk ML1700 .H43 1987 ✔ Available Place Hold