Operetta: A Theatrical History

by Richard Traubner

This entertaining and thorough examination of operetta remains the only complete, richly-illustrated history available of a delightful form of musical theater which has enraptured audiences around the world for over a century. Coming at a time of renewed enthusiasm for operetta, Richard
Traubner's timely volume shakes the dust off many exciting pieces, while documenting the creation of the masterworks of the form, including Orphée aux Enfers , Die Fledermaus , H.M.S. Pinafore , The Merry Widow , The Desert Song , and White Horse Inn . It covers the careers of the major operetta
composers and librettists--including Offenbach, Hervé, Strauss, Gilbert and Sullivan, Lehár, Coward, and Lerner and Loewe--the original productions of their works, the principal foreign versions, the famous revivals, and related aspects of public and critical reaction, as well as providing a
chronicle of operetta's greatest theaters and most popular stars.

Genres: Music

480 pages, Paperback

First published May 11, 1989

Reviews

[Ruth]

I have been “reading” this encyclopedia of operetta for several years now (I’m the type that feels compelled to finish every book I start, no matter how ponderous). Basically, this is a chronological listing of operettas and arias (and ensembles) stitched together with a few threads of historical information. Will I remember what I’ve read? Ha—never—but as a research source, this book can refresh me on the minutiae whenever (if ever) I need it in the future.

[amelia]

Read certain chapters for my research project at uni.

[Thom]

Quite informative on the subject. I'm learning a lot about the various genres of 18th and 19th century light opera styles.