Opera: A Concise History

Second edition, revised by Rodney Milnes.

253 illustrations, 32 in colour.

Whatever the period, high passion and exotic spectacle are characteristically fused in opera to create stirring and memorable theatrical experiences. A glance at the lavish illustrations in this book is enough to explain why opera has always been, and why it remains, the uniquely popular genre it is. Leslie Orrey surveys the whole history of opera from its evolution at the end of the 16th century, also assessing the impact of changes in the styles, conditions and architecture of the theatre, as well as the increasing influence of the producer. For this second edition, Rodney Milnes, former editor of "Opera" magazine, updated the discussion.

CONTENIDO

Preface

1. The beginnings of opera in Italy
2. Monteverdi. Opera in Seventeenth-century Rome and Venice
3. Opera in France from Lully to the Revolution
4. Opera in England from Purcell to Arne
5. Opera seria. The court opera
6. Comic opera in the Eighteenth Century
7. Mozart
8. Post-Revolution opera in France, Italy and Germany
9. Late Nineteenth-century opera in Italy and France
10. Wagner and music drama
11. Opera in England, Spain, Sweden and Eastern Europe. Nationalism
12. Opera in the New World
13. Operetta, musical comedy and the musical
14. Opera in the Twentieth Century

Select bibliography
Sources of illustrations
Photographic acknowledgments
Index