Description |
viii, 233 pages, 12 unnumbered pages of plates : illustrations ; 24 cm. |
Series |
Eastman studies in music,
1071-9989 ;
v. 126
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Eastman studies in music ; v. 126.
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Bibliography |
Includes bibliographical references (pages 219-228) and index. |
Contents |
Setting the stage : opera buffa and comedy of manners in an age of democratic revolution -- Rossini, Mozart, Paisiello, and the Barber of Seville -- Jane Austen, Goya, Rossini, and the post-Napoleonic age : La Cenerentola -- Rossini, Beethoven, and rescue opera : Fidelio and La gazza ladra -- Rossini, Ferretti, Matilde di Shabran, and the revolution of 1820-21 -- Stendhal and Rossini in Paris : Il viaggio a reims, Le comte Ory, and the July Revolution. |
Summary |
This book examines Rossini within the context of his own time, one of Napoleonic domination of Italy, restoration of the Bourbon monarchy in Naples in 1815, and the 1830 Revolution in Paris. Using the techniques of the historian, and reading librettos as texts, the author analyzes the five operas treated in detail in the book ('Il barbiere di Siviglia', 'Cenerentola', 'La gazza ladra', 'Matilde di Shabran', and 'Il viaggio a Reims') as responses, each in its own way, to the history that the composer experienced. Roberts shows that Rossini made probing commentaries on politics and religion in a time of reaction and revolution, and that the composer was well-informed on post-Napoleonic politics. Rossini's comic writing served very serious purposes, exposing the problems and complications of an age that he observed with striking clarity. |
Language |
English text. |
Subject |
Rossini, Gioacchino, 1792-1868.
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Rossini, Gioacchino, 1792-1868. |
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Music -- Political aspects -- Europe -- History -- 19th century.
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Music -- Political aspects. |
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Europe. |
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History. |
Chronological Term |
19th century |
Subject |
Music. |
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Europe -- History -- 1789-1900.
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Chronological Term |
1789-1900 |
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1789 - 1900 |
Genre/Form |
History.
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ISBN |
9781580465304 (hardcover) (alkaline paper) |
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1580465307 (hardcover) (alkaline paper) |
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