The prima donna and opera 1815-1930 / Susan Rutherford.
| Author/creator | Rutherford, Susan |
| Format | Book |
| Publication Info | Cambridge : Cambridge University Press, 2006. |
| Description | xii, 381 pages : illustrations ; 24 cm. |
| Subjects |
| Series | Cambridge studies in opera Cambridge studies in opera. ^A396000 |
| Contents | Sirens and songbirds -- Superdivas and superwomen -- Tutors and tuition -- The supporting cast -- Professional life -- Vocal and theatrical landscapes -- The singing actress. |
| Abstract | This book is concerned not so much with the 'prima donna' as with prime donne: a group of working artists (sometimes famous but more often relatively unknown and now long forgotten) and the circumstances of their professional lives. It attempts to locate these singers within a broader history, including not only the specificities of operatic stage practice but the life beyond the opera house - the social, cultural and political framing that shaped individual experience, artistic endeavour and audience reception. The author addresses questions such as the multiple discourses on the image of the singer and their impact on the changing profile of the professional artist from figlia dell'arte at the beginning of the era to middle-class woman at the end; the aspect of the 'stage mother' and patronage; issues of vocal training and tuition; professional life in the operatic market-place; and performance (both vocal and dramatic) conventions and practices. |
| Bibliography note | Includes bibliographical references (pages 340-364) and index. |
| ISBN | 052185167X |
| ISBN | 9780521851671 |
Availability
| Library | Location | Call Number | Status | Item Actions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Music | Music Stacks | ML1704 .R88 2006 | ✔ Available | Place Hold |