Katherine K. Preston leads the reader on an operatic tour of pre-Civil War America in this cultural study of what was, surprisingly, an almost ubiquitous art form. Her richly detailed examination of itinerant troupes covers orchestral and choral musicians as well as stars, impresarios, business methods, repertories, advertising techniques, itineraries, sizes of companies, and methods of travel.
--This text refers to the
Paperback
edition.
| ||||||||||||||||||
Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From Library Journal
Opera in the United States during the antebellum period was widely accepted. The working and middle classes as well as the wealthy thirsted for theater entertainment, particularly opera--an appreciation that has possibly not been equaled since. Audiences were knowledgeable and sophisticated. European performers were highly regarded, and the performers soon considered America a gold mine of opportunity. As there were no established opera companies at that time, traveling opera troupes were the mainstay. Preston explores the American love of opera as she covers various components of the troupes, such as singers, instrumentalists, stage managers, prompters, programs, impresarios, and schedules. Intending her work to be a basis for research by other scholars, she offers a superb example of tenacious attention to detail. Recommended for serious music collections.
- Kathleen Sparkman, Baylor Univ., Waco, Tex.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.
- Kathleen Sparkman, Baylor Univ., Waco, Tex.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Review
Challenges fashionable assumptions about mid-nineteenth-century American class and culture, the roles of the sexes, and popular and informed taste. -- Victor Fell Yellin, Opera Quarterly
Creates . . . a vivid sense of how intense and important operatic entertainment was to Americans before the Civil War. -- Leon Botstein, Times Literary Supplement
Preston's formidably researched account of the whos, whats and finances of traveling opera should convince any skeptics. . . . Fascinating reading. -- Glenn Giffin, Denver Post --This text refers to the Paperback edition.
Creates . . . a vivid sense of how intense and important operatic entertainment was to Americans before the Civil War. -- Leon Botstein, Times Literary Supplement
Preston's formidably researched account of the whos, whats and finances of traveling opera should convince any skeptics. . . . Fascinating reading. -- Glenn Giffin, Denver Post --This text refers to the Paperback edition.
Product Details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
More About the Author
Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.
Customer Reviews
|
There are no customer reviews yet.
|
|||
|
Video reviews
|
Inside This Book
(learn more)
Browse and search another edition of this book.
Browse and search another edition of this book.
First Sentence:
During the 1820s, 1830s, and 1840s, numerous British vocal stars, following in the footsteps of Charles Incledon and Thomas Philipps, made the trek from the stages of England to the theaters of the East Coast of the United States. Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
vocal stars, itinerant opera companies, secondary singers, resident opera company, following singers, concert troupe, theatrical repertory, operatic troupe, theatrical circuit, dramatic stars, operatic stars, opera troupes, itinerant companies, operatic activity, operatic selections, operatic repertory, musical press, music periodicals, operatic debut, theatrical press, principal singers, operatic music, itinerant performers, concert company, chorus director Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
New York, United States, Astor Place, New Orleans, Fra Diavolo, National Theatre, Lucrezia Borgia, Chestnut Street Theatre, Jane Shirreff, The Bohemian Girl, Havana Company, Don Giovanni, North America, Louisa Pyne, The Marriage of Figaro, John Wilson, The Postillion of Longjumeau, East Coast, Elizabeth Austin, The Crown Diamonds, Der Freischütz, Teresa Parodi, The Daughter of the Regiment, Anna Bishop, Castle Garden New!
Books on Related Topics | Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
During the 1820s, 1830s, and 1840s, numerous British vocal stars, following in the footsteps of Charles Incledon and Thomas Philipps, made the trek from the stages of England to the theaters of the East Coast of the United States. Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
vocal stars, itinerant opera companies, secondary singers, resident opera company, following singers, concert troupe, theatrical repertory, operatic troupe, theatrical circuit, dramatic stars, operatic stars, opera troupes, itinerant companies, operatic activity, operatic selections, operatic repertory, musical press, music periodicals, operatic debut, theatrical press, principal singers, operatic music, itinerant performers, concert company, chorus director Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
New York, United States, Astor Place, New Orleans, Fra Diavolo, National Theatre, Lucrezia Borgia, Chestnut Street Theatre, Jane Shirreff, The Bohemian Girl, Havana Company, Don Giovanni, North America, Louisa Pyne, The Marriage of Figaro, John Wilson, The Postillion of Longjumeau, East Coast, Elizabeth Austin, The Crown Diamonds, Der Freischütz, Teresa Parodi, The Daughter of the Regiment, Anna Bishop, Castle Garden New!
Books on Related Topics | Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Books on Related Topics
(learn more)
|
|
Tag this product(What's this?)Think of a tag as a keyword or label you consider is strongly related to this product.
Tags will help all customers organize and find favorite items. |
Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store
If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store.
Learn more
