Creating Der Rosenkavalier: From Chevalier to Cavalier - Hardcover

Reynolds CB, Major General Michael

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1783270497 ISBN 13: 9781783270491

Publisher: Boydell Press, 2016

Synopsis

A full account of the making, during1909-10, of Der Rosenkavalier with emphasis on its derivation from a French operette of 1907, L'Ingenu libertin, which was seen in Paris by Count Harry Kessler and which formed thebasis of the opera then to be written by Hofmannsthal and Strauss. Previous scholarship has credited the narrative and characters of Der Rosenkavalier to much older French sources known to, and studied by Hofmannsthal, but this book shows clearly how every element in L'Ingenu libertin is in fact taken (and transformed) by Kessler and Hofmannsthal into the work that made fortunes for Hofmannsthal and Strauss, but left Kessler on the sidelines. Michael Reynolds casts a major new light on Strauss's most popular operatic success, highlighting in particular how it was that Hofmannsthal - who had not until then had any theatrical success as an original playwright - was advised and empowered by Kessler to produce a work that succeeded onstage from its very first performance and went rapidly on to conquer the stages of the world.

About this title

About the Author

Major General Michael Reynolds CB joined the British Army in 1948, and was commissioned into the Queens Royal Regiment in 1950. In the course of a long and distinguished career, he served in Korea, where he was severely wounded, Northern Ireland and West Germany. On promotion to Major General he assumed command of NATO's Allied Command Europe Mobile Force (Land). In retirement, he became guest speaker on British Army and NATO battlefield tours in the Ardennes, publishing a number of detailed histories on World War 2 operations in Europe. He died in 2015.

Review

Reynolds's book will reward both scholars and opera-lovers who will are interested in Der Rosenkavalier's co-creators or are fascinated by collaboration and the creative process. MUSIC LIBRARY ASSOCIATION NOTES The 'Preface' to Michael Reynolds's charming book begins with a pithy statement: 'This is a book about creation, authorship and relationships'. Thus, in a nutshell, he lays out succinctly the course his monograph takes from uncovering a largely overlooked backstory to the creation of one of the most successful operas of the twentieth century. He presents a detailed account of the nature and origins of its authorship via a considered and sensitively pitched examination of the artistic relationships that underpinned it. MUSIC AND LETTERS If you love Der Rosenkavalier, Reynolds' book is essential-and fascinating-reading. Exoticandirrational Blog

About this edition

• Publisher: Boydell Press
• Publication date: 2016
• ISBN 10: 1783270497
• ISBN 13: 9781783270491
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 263