French Opera Posters, 1868-1930: 52 posters, Including 32 in Full Color

The 53 posters reproduced here, including 32 in original full colors, offer more than a glimpse into the gala atmosphere of France and of the operas, operettas and ballets staged there from 1868 to 1930. French opera of this time was like the Eiffel Tower, a spectacle of gaiety and epic passions, and, like the Tower, the posters reprinted in this book are theatre pieces of surprising charm. Rare opera souvenirs, most of which advertise premiere performances, these posters also illustrate the full flowering of the illustrated poster which, at mid-nineteenth century, was virtually a new graphic art.

This collection concentrates on the French poster (and opera) of the Belle Epoque, while also dipping back to include rare early examples of the illustrated poster and forward to some remarkable pieces of French Art Deco design. Included are posters by Jules Chéret (the acknowledged father of the modern poster), Steinlen, Grasset, and over 30 other artists. Jules Massenet, the most prolific composer for the French operatic stage, is amply represented by posters for Manon, Le Cid, Grisélidis, his ballet Cigale, and others. Offenbach, Ambroise Thomas, Léo Delibes, Gabriel Fauré and Henry Février are among the other composers whose works these posters herald.

The posters have been reproduced by originals in the collection of Lucy Broido, who has also provided an introduction, a bibliography and extensive notes on each poster with biographies of the artists, printers and composers, anecdotes about the premiere performances and plot summaries. Poster and opera buffs, historians of art and the stage and everyone even slightly fascinated by this time in French music and graphic arts will find this book a particular delight.