C. W. von Gluck: Orfeo (Cambridge Opera Handbooks) [Hardcover]

Patricia Howard (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 30, 1981 | ISBN-10: 0521228271 | ISBN-13: 978-0521228275

This book explains how and why Gluck's historically important and best-loved opera Orfeo came into existence, and shows why it has retained its popularity. The work is placed in its context of Gluck's 'reform of opera', an artistic movement involving actors, dancers, designers, writers and philosophers, as well as musicians and librettists. Patricia Howard and her fellow contributors describe how the opera has been reinterpreted throughout the past two hundred years from its first performance. Differing twentieth-century views based on practical experience of the work are put forward by the conductors John Eliot Gardiner and Sir Charles Mackerras, the singer Kevin Smith and the English National Opera music consultant Tom Hammond.

Editorial Reviews

Book Description

This book explains how and why Gluck's historically important and best-loved opera Orfeo came into existence, shows why it has retained its popularity, and describes how the opera has been reinterpreted throughout the past two hundred years from its first performance.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 154 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press (September 30, 1981)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521228271
• ISBN-13: 978-0521228275
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.4 ounces
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,631,274 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)