Fontainebleau Operas for the Court of Louis XV of France: By Jean-Philippe Rameau (1683-1764) (Studies in the History and Interpretation of Music) [Illustrated] [Hardcover]

Paul F. Rice (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0773464387 | ISBN-13: 978-0773464384 | Publication Date: June 2004 | Edition: illustrated edition

During the eighteenth century, the French court made yearly trips to the chateau of Fontainebleau during the autumn months, partaking of the abundant hunting in the surrounding area, and enjoying evenings of operas and plays presented by the leading performers from Paris. Jean-Philippe Rameau (1683-1764), the leading French composer of the period, was asked to present five new operas at the chateau in 1753 and 1754. Only one of these works was ever published and three of the five were never heard in Paris. Consequently, these works have remained little known. This book presents Rameau's works first heard at Fontainebleau in the context of their compositional and performance histories, a context which is rich in court intrigues and social change. This study is the first published work to investigate these operas in detail, Rameau's relationship to the court and the public opera house of Paris is reevaluated, and the richness of Rameau's musical imagination is revealed in works from his maturity.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The author is to be commended on the painstaking work evident in this ambitious work. The appendixes are excellent especially the inventory of dance movements.....There is a great deal of valuable and erudite material in this book. This book provides an opportunity to know more about these works and their social, political and musical significance." - Mary O'Keeffe, Performing Harpsicordist of Rameau Music; "Dr. Rice is truly to be commended for having achieved a wonderful balance between music-historical research and systematic analysis of musical works in this book. It will not only be of interest to musicians but sure to attract scholars from other disciplines as well." -Dr. Barbara Reul, Luther College University of Regina"

About the Author

Paul F. Rice is Associate Professor of Musicology in the School of Music, Memorial University of Newfoundland. He has been twice awarded major research grants from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada. A frequent broadcaster on the CBC Radio, he is often heard in the intermission features of the program, Saturday Afternoon at the Opera.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 342 pages
• Publisher: Edwin Mellen Pr; illustrated edition edition (June 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0773464387
• ISBN-13: 978-0773464384
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,441,106 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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