The World of the Castrati: The History of an Extraordinary Operatic Phenomenon - Brossura

Barbier, Patrick

Brossura

ISBN 10: 0285634607 ISBN 13: 9780285634602

Casa editrice: Souvenir Pr Ltd, 1998

Riassunto

This entertaining and authoritative study of the castrati during the baroque period explores the lives and triumphs of more than 60 singers over three centuries—their social origins, training, and relationship to society and church. Blending history and anecdote, it traces the course of a phenomenon that held Europe in its thrall. People were fascinated by these hybrids—part man, part woman, and part child—who became virile heroes on the operatic stage. The reader will learn of the horrors of castration, the nature of the strange castrato voice, and the conflicts these singers experienced.

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Recensione:

It is hard to understand how 17th and 18th century Italy managed somehow to accept the idea of castration, even for musical reasons... Professor Barbier s book explains it in a way that makes the operatic conventions sound almost reasonable, giving us a full picture of the training, techniques and personalities of the castrati themselves. --Sunday Telegraph

Patrick Barbier s history of opera s most bizarre subplot is both scholarly and fun. --Daily Telegraph

Authoritative and entertaining. --Daily Mail

Descrizione del libro:

One of the strangest episodes in operatic history is the story of the castrati. In their heyday they were the toast of Europe: idolised, fêted, adored by men and women alike, patronised by royalty and the nobility. They were showered with gifts, lived in the height of luxury and, in some cases, behaved like the most petulant prima donnas of modern times. And they are reputed to have sung like angels.

Su questa edizione

• Editore: Souvenir Pr Ltd
• Data di pubblicazione: 1998
• ISBN 10: 0285634607
• ISBN 13: 9780285634602
• Rilegatura: Copertina flessibile
• Numero di pagine: 272