Customer Reviews

The Enchantress of Nations: Pauline Viardot: Soprano, Muse and Lover

5 star:		(0)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

On the plus side, the overall presentation of the book is first rate due to its high quality paper and interesting illustrations. One gleans only a rudimentary understanding of the life of the mezzo-soprano. The deception lies with the overall focus. We learn no details about Viardot's vocal training and read primarily about her major roles [a tiny bit on Norma; more on Fides, Sapho, and Orphee] her travels, and the fact that her teaching produced a noise level that annoyed others in her household. Steen's all-consuming interest is on everyone and everything that is on the periphery of Viardot, especially Turgenev. A full chapter of twenty pages examines in exhaustive detail whether or not Viardot and Turgenev had a sexual relationship. [A mature reader would be satisfied with a one paragraph summary.] One reads exhaustedly about Turgenev's personal and literary relationship with Tolstoy and Dostoyevsky. The author even provides us with plot summaries of Turgenev's novels! Viardot's life indeed intersected with major musical and literary figures of the nineteenth century. But those readers expecting a musical focus will be disappointed with a volume more devoted to gossip and a panorama of nineteenth century Russian novelists and their oeuvre.