Giacomo Puccini (20th Century Composers) [Paperback]

Conrad Wilson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 22, 1997 | ISBN-10: 071483291X | ISBN-13: 978-0714832913

Giacomo Puccini (1858-1924) is perhaps the worlds most popular opera composer. Renowned for his gift as a melodist he was also a new force in "musical drama". This work draws attention to the daring and extraordinary colouring of Puccini's music, countering the view held during his lifetime that he was a retrogressive who aimed to shock. The composer's many relationships with women were a significant influence on his music and he was one of the greatest creators of operatic heroines, commemorating them in music that played directly on the heartstrings. The contradictions within Puccini's personality - his revelry in an affluent lifestle and insecurities about his creative powers - are explored in this biography, which attempts to set the composer among the immortal greats. This text is part of the 20th-century composers series, examining composers in a biographical context, and offering a comprehensive study of key figures in the creation of 20th-century music. None of the books in the series presume a knowledge of specialized terms or musical notation. Each book in the series features a list of works, a bibliography, and a discography.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

The latest in Phaidon Press Limited's fine 20th Century Composers series, this biography plows ground that's already been gone over many times, but does so very well. Like the rest of the books in this series, it's aimed at the more-than-casual but less-than-expert reader, and puts the composer's life and art into perspective, assisted by assorted photographs. This is a particularly good starting place for someone captured by Puccini's music dramas who's interested in how it all came about. There are no musical examples, which can be a positive or a negative depending on one's point of view and whether one reads music. New listeners may find the overly brief discography in the back of the book a useful guide.

About the Author

Conrad Wilson was music critic of the Scotsman from 1963 to 1991 and now writes for the Herald. Author of several publications, including a history of Scottish Opera and a biography of its founder, Sir Alexander Gibson, he was for many years program editor of the Edinburgh Festival. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Phaidon Press (May 22, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 071483291X
• ISBN-13: 978-0714832913
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.9 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,051,422 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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