Opera and its symbols, the unity of words, music, and staging, Robert Donington
Type
Label
Opera and its symbols, the unity of words, music, and staging, Robert Donington
Language
eng
Bibliography note
Includes bibliographical references (pages 231-238) and index
Illustrations
illustrations
Index
index present
Literary Form
non fiction
Main title
Opera and its symbols
Nature of contents
bibliography
Oclc number
20294555
Responsibility statement
Robert Donington
Sub title
the unity of words, music, and staging
Summary
Robert Donington, the noted musicologist, performer, and writer, is famous for his influential and provocative book Wagner's "Ring" and Its Symbols, and for his indispensable reference work The Interpretation of Early Music. In this book he discusses the workings of symbolism in opera and the importance of staging opera in keeping with the composer's intentions. Only in this way, says Donington, can we be faithful to the conscious or unconscious symbolism invested in the work by the composer and librettist. Starting form Carlyle's premise that "it is through symbols that man, consciously or unconsciously, lives, works and has his being," Donington interprets scenes and characters from operas by Monteverdi, Mozart, Verdi, Wagner, Bizet, Puccini, Debussy, Strauss, Stravinsky, Berg, Britten, Tippett, and other composers. Time and again Donington sheds new light on operatic situations that are problematic or have become over-familiar. His lively and wide-ranging work reveals a deep knowledge and love of opera, combined with a rare insight into hidden meanings to be found in music, words, and action [Publisher description]
Creator
Content
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