Opera: A History in Documents

by Piero Weiss

In A History in Documents , Piero Weiss presents a wide-ranging, vivid, and carefully researched tour of operatic history. A unique anthology of primary source material, this survey includes 115 chronologically organized selections--passages from private letters, public decrees, descriptions of first performances, portions of libretti, literary criticism and satire, newspaper reviews and articles, and poetry and fiction--from opera's late Renaissance infancy through modern times. This first-hand testimony allows students to experience the history of opera as eyewitnesses, offering an immediacy and validity unmatched by standard histories. Readers are transported to a Medici wedding in sixteenth-century Florence, to the Haymarket Theatre for a performance of Handel's Rinaldo , to Mozart at work on Die Entführung aus dem Serail , and to Bertolt Brecht's writing desk, among many other landmarks in opera's history. Weiss expertly guides students, providing highly accessible
headnotes to each selection that both contextualize the excerpts and position them within the broader historical narrative. In addition, he offers original translations of more than half of the selections in the book, many of which appear here in English for the first time. Stage settings, costumes, portraits, contemporary playbills, and other illustrations enliven the text and help to recreate the feel of the era under discussion. A History in Documents is an intrinsically lively text that will enrich college courses on opera and delight any music-loving reader.

Genres: History, Music, Academic, Nonfiction

352 pages, Paperback

First published February 7, 2002

Reviews

[Rob Brethouwer · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.613 stars. A history presented through essays, letters, reviews, and general analysis. An excellent linear view of opera.

[AskHistorians]

This is an anthology of over 100 primary source documents on opera, all transcribed and translated into English so it's easy as pie to use, along with a paragraph or two of historical context and introduction for each entry to help you understand the document. Great resource for both casual-to-advanced opera history buffs or students looking to write a paper who need primary sources that are easy to use and cite all in one place.

[Cordelia · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are some really interesting documents in here which can provide additional layers of understanding for favorite operas.