Famous Mozart operas; an analytical guide for the opera-goer and armchair listener / by Spike Hughes.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Hughes, Spike, 1908-1987.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus, 1756-1791. Operas.

Opera--Analytical guides.

Physical Description:

245 pages : music ; 22 cm

Edition:

Second revised edition.

Place of Publication:

New York : Dover Publications, [1972]

Summary:

This guide by Spike Hughes, noted British composer, musicologist, and conductor, covers Mozart's five greatest operas: Die Entfuhrung aus dem Serail, Le Nozze di Figaro, Don Giovanni, Cosi Fan Tutte and Die Zauberflote.

For each opera Mr. Hughes tells about its conception and creation, early performances, the life of the librettist and sources for the libretto, events in Mozart's life and career that have a bearing on its composition, and the history of its productions and critical receptions. He then takes the reader through each opera, from beginning to end, summarizing the action and commenting on almost every aspect of the music: uses of vocal and orchestral color; interactions of voices in ensemble singing; changes in melody and mood; relations of musical phrases to each other and to other parts of the opera; and observations on just how the music fits or does not fit the words. Whenever possible, he includes the original stage directions, as well as comments made by Mozart and his librettists

Contents:

Mozart and the Opera 13

Die Entfuhrung Aus Dem Serail 19

The Marriage of Figaro 47

Don Giovanni 79

Cosi Fan Tutte 143

The Magic Flute 189.

ISBN:

0486228584

OCLC:

547988