Opera paints the human passions with astonishing power and drama. This book tells the history of opera for more than a generation provokes in-depth discussions of many works by the greatest opera composers, from Monteverdi, Handel and Mozart, to Verdi and Wagner, to Strauss, Puccini, Berg, and Britten.
Puccini's opera "Tosca" is based on a play by Victorien Sardou, which the composer saw in Milan with the famous actress Sarah Bernhardt. The story is partly set during the time of Napoleon and revolves around the tragedy of the renowned singer Floria Tosca. After much effort, Puccini secured Sardou's approval for an opera based on this narrative, leading to the premiere of "Tosca" in Rome in 1900, which was a resounding success for the composer. The text juxtaposes the Italian libretto with a widely used German translation, providing insights into the musical and dramatic elements of the opera, including compositional structure and thematic connections. A brief summary of the plot, an overview of its creation, and discussions of the themes and story place the work within the broader context of the composer's oeuvre and biography, offering a comprehensive and richly illustrated introduction.
A historical survey of opera, from its beginnings in Florence 400 years ago, up to opera in the 1990s.
The New Grove name is one of the most prestigious imprints of music reference books in the world. Already the publisher of The New Grove Book of Operas, St. Martin's is now making these exhaustive volumes on Verdi and Wagner and their operas available in two beautiful packages at an affordable price.The books have been written from renowned authorities from around the world, and are illustrated with music examples and halftones. Each begins with an introduction by Stanley Sadie and offers: -- a chronology which situates the operas in the wider context of the composer's career -- a survey of the composer's life and operas -- synopses and expert appreciations of the operas -- a glossary of operatic terms -- an index for easy reference These are the perfect books for any opera lover to have at the opening of the opera season.
Eine unterhaltsame und umfassende Geschichte der Oper, die ihre Entwicklung und bedeutende Werke von Komponisten wie Monteverdi, Händel und Wagner beleuchtet. Das Buch bietet Einblicke in soziale, politische und wirtschaftliche Kontexte und zeigt, dass die Oper auch heute noch lebendig und faszinierend ist. Ideal für Opernliebhaber und Interessierte.