Synopses & Reviews
John Rosselli introduces all those singers, members of the chorus as well as stars, who have sung Italian opera from 1600 to the twentieth century.
Review
"Relating the four-century history of singers in Italian opera may seem a bit daunting in such a relatively brief number of pages, but Rosselli more than succeeds....Everyone loves a good story and there are many here. The scholarship is solid and the writing is excellent, never pedantic. Give yourself a treat. Give yourself this book." American Record Guide"...essential reading for anyone who wishes to truly understand the nature of this profession." Pan Pipes of Sigma Alpha Iota"...a magnificent book." The Times Literary Supplement"...a storehouse of information, skillfully organised, attractively presented." BBC Music Magazine"A marvelous cultural study and this reviewer's favorite new opera book in recent years." Choice
Synopsis
Despite the obvious risks, many singers slowly emancipated themselves from dependence on great patrons to pursue the dangerous freedom of the market. Their stories are included in this wide-ranging study of all the artists who have sung Italian opera from 1600 to the twentieth century.
Description
Includes bibliographical references (p. 219-262) and index.
Table of Contents
List of illustrations; Preface; List of abbreviations; Introduction: a living tradition; 1. Musicians attending; 2. Castrati; 3. Women; 4. The coming of a market; 5. Training; 6. Pay; 7. Careers; 8. The age of the tenor; 9. The coming of mass society; Notes; Note on further reading; Index.