First published in 1897, this was among the earliest works about Wagner and his works to come from outside Bayreuth and presented careful and probing analyses of both the poems and the music, touching for the first time on the essential themes and questions of Wagner's life and work, the use of the leit-motif and the universe of his creative work. Contains all of the original illustrations. A work explaining and interpreting Wagner and his music, which is extremely valuable for the French point of view which it presents. This title is cited and recommended by Books for College Libraries and the Catalogue of the Lamont Library, Harvard College.

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An evocative retelling of the Czech Velvet Revolution using found text, choral music, and scenes inspired by Vaclav Havel's Vanek plays. The work was originally presented at the Walter Bruno Theater at Linclon Center, as part of the New York Public Library of the Performing Arts' Performing Revolution Festival. This book includes the full text of both the scenes and choruses, as well as interviews with the composer and the librettist.

The Black Dog Opera Library is the most popular, informative, and budget-friendly way to enjoy the greatest operas of all time. Each book contains a history of the opera, a synopsis of the story, a complete libretto in its original language as well as in English, dozens of photos, and a world-class Angel/EMI recording of the entire opera on two CDs. It's a must-have for die-hard opera lovers as well as those in need of an introduction to the timeless art form.

Kessinger Publishing is the place to find hundreds of thousands of rare and hard-to-find books with something of interest for everyone!

George Bernard Shaw was born in Dublin in 1856. Before becoming a playwright he wrote music and literary criticism. Shaw used his writing to attack social problems such as education, marriage, religion, government, health care, and class privilege. Shaw was particularly conscious of the exploitation of the working class. The Perfect Wagnerite is a politically oriented essay. Shaw was a life-long Socialist and one of the earliest Wagner enthusiasts. He praises Wagner's "Ring Cycle" as a denunciation of the evils of capitalism and as a musical triumph.

This book is a facsimile reprint and may contain imperfections such as marks, notations, marginalia and flawed pages.

With Five-Hundred Illustrations And Descriptions Of One-Thousand Victor Opera Records.

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Susie Gilbert traces the development of ENO from its earliest origins in the darkest Victorian slums of the Cut, where it was conceived as a vehicle of social reform, through two world wars, and via Sadler's Wells to its great glory days at the Coliseum and beyond. Setting the company's artistic achievements within the wider context of social and political attitudes to the arts and the ever-changing theatrical style, Gilbert provides a vivid cultural history of this unique institution's 150 years. Inspired by the idealism of Lilian Baylis, the company has been based on the belief that opera in the vernacular can not only reach out to even the least privileged members of society but also create a potent and immediate communication with its audience. With full access to ENO's archive, Gilbert has unearthed a rich range of material and held numerous interviews with a fascinating array of personalities, to weave an absorbing tale of life both in front and behind the scenes of ENO as it developed over the years.

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The story of an Australian girl who defied convention and became the most famous singer of her era. Growing up in Melbourne, Nellie Mitchell dreamed of fame, but her devout father disapproved. When a chance arose to go to Paris, she trusted in her musical talent and hoped for a lucky break. Within a few years, reborn as Nellie Melba, she was performing to overflowing concert halls, hobnobbing with European royalty and collaborating with some of the most renowned composers of the age. Audiences swooned over the 'heavenly pleasures' of her voice, while the public showed an insatiable appetite for news of her sometimes passionate private life. Dame Nellie Melba was Australia's first international superstar. In this important biography, enhanced by new research, Ann Blainey captures the exuberance, controversy and pathos of Melba's remarkable career. Shortlisted for the Age Book of the Year Award

A Book of Operas Their Histories, Their Plots, and Their Music was written by Henry Krehbiel. The book begins at the beginning of opera in the United States "The history of what is popularly called Italian opera begins in the United States with a performance of Rossini's lyrical comedy "Il Barbiere di Siviglia"; it may, therefore, fittingly take the first place in these operatic studies. The place was the Park Theatre, then situated in Chambers Street, east of Broadway, and the date November 29, 1825. " Operas covered in this book are Il Barbiere di Siviglia, Le Nozze di Figaro, Die Zauberflote, Don Giovanni, Fidelio, Faust, Mefistofele, La Damnation de Faus, La Traviata, Aida, Der Freischutz, Tannhauser, Tristan und Isolde, Parsifal, Die Meistersinger von Nurnberg, Lohengrin, and Hansel und Gretel

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One of the most significant developments in 19th-century Italian opera was the genesis of the Verdi baritone. The authors argue that the composer's baritone characters embody "a quintessential humanity, expressing needs and temptations, confusions and understandings, griefs and joys that transcend the particulars of time and place." The Verdi Baritone explores seven of the most fascinating roles in the repertory, revealing how they were conceived and executed. This eloquent book opens with a discussion of Verdi's early triumph, Nabucco; proceeds with Ernani, Macbeth, Rigoletto, La Traviata, and Simon Boccanegra; and concludes with his final great tragedy, Otello. Voice students, professional performers, their teachers and coaches, and opera lovers, will gain insight into Verdi's masterful use of text, music, and staging to portray each character's inner self.

This wise and friendly guide to Mozart's operas encompasses the full range of his most popular works--"Figaro, Don Giovanni, Cosi, Magic Flute, Seraglio, Clemenza di Tito"--as well as lesser known works like "Mitridate" and "Il re Pastore." Music historian Mary Hunter provides a lively introduction to each opera for any listener who has enjoyed a performance, either on the stage or in a video recording, and who wishes to understand the opera more fully. The "Companion" includes a synopsis and commentary on each work, as well as background information on the three main genres in which Mozart wrote: opera seria, opera buffa, and Singspiel. An essay on the "anatomy" of a Mozart opera points out the musical conventions with which the composer worked and suggests nontechnical ways to think about his musical choices. The book also places modern productions of the operas in historical context and explores how modern directors, producers, and conductors present Mozart's works today. Filled with factual information and interesting issues to ponder while watching a performance, this guide will appeal to newcomers and seasoned opera aficionados alike.

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Also Contains: The Deserter: A Musical Drama; The Wedding Ring: A Comic Opera; The Waterman Or The First Of August: A Ballad Opera.

George Bernard Shaw was born in Dublin in 1856. Before becoming a playwright he wrote music and literary criticism. Shaw used his writing to attack social problems such as education, marriage, religion, government, health care, and class privilege. Shaw was particularly conscious of the exploitation of the working class. The Perfect Wagnerite is a politically oriented essay. Shaw was a life-long Socialist and one of the earliest Wagner enthusiasts. He praises Wagner's "Ring Cycle" as a denunciation of the evils of capitalism and as a musical triumph.

"What should I perform?" This book is to serve as a study guide of twentyfive works for the dramatic soprano voice with orchestra. Criteria used for inclusion include range, tessitura, orchestral scoring, dramatic intensity, and cultural diversity. There are examples of works dating from 1787 through 2004, and include song cycles, monoperas, monodramas, scena and arias, symphonic rhapsodies, cantatas, symphonic cycles, and lyric tragedies. Adhering to the basic requirement of the piece being suitable for the dramatic soprano voice, the chosen works are eclectic in language, style, ethnic origin, and musical period. A cursory definition of the dramatic soprano voice and its rise in operatic history is included. Information is provided for each listing, including a brief biographical sketch of the composer and the work's history and lyrics. This book is addressed to all professionals in the performing arts as well as specifically to dramatic sopranos, conductors, composers, and lovers of extraordinary and compelling vocal/orchestral works. It is also directed toward professors and educators in music, voice, orchestra, theatre, and their students.