Full Description
This book contains analyses of the stories and music of nine operas, presented in chronological order from 1791 to 1928. These great works are most readily approached with an understanding of the conventions of the several operatic genres as well as the social conditions that influenced the composers and librettists. The popular and intellectual movements that influenced the operas and the original source material are also discussed. The operas are Mozart's The Magic Flute, Beethoven's Fidelio, Donizetti's Lucia di Lammermoor, Wagner's The Flying Dutchman, Verdi's Rigoletto, Bizet's Carmen, Leoncavallo's Pagliacci, Strauss' Salome, and Brecht's The Threepenny Opera.
Contents
Table of Contents
Introduction
1. Let There Be Light: Mozart's The Magic Flute
2. Judgment Day: Beethoven's Fidelio
3. The Horror! The Horror! Donizetti's Lucia di Lammermoor
4. Until the End of Time...:Wagner's The Flying Dutchman
5. Nice Guys Finish Last: Verdi's Rigoletto
6. The Madonna and the Whore: Bizet's Carmen
7. Déjà Vu: Leoncavallo's Pagliacci
8. The Love That Dares Not Speak Its Name: Strauss's Salome
9. Crime Does Pay! Brecht's The Threepenny Opera
Conclusion
Glossary
Bibliography
Index
