Staging History

Michael Burden

ISBN 10: 1851244565 / ISBN 13: 9781851244560

Published by Bodleian Library, GB, 2016

About this Item

In the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, historical subjects became some of the most popular topics for stage dramas of all kinds on both sides of the Atlantic. This collection of essays examines a number of extraordinary theatrical works in order to cast light on their role in shaping a popular interpretation of historical events. The medium of drama ensured that the telling of these histories - the French Revolution and the American War of Independence, for example, or the travels of Captain Cook and Christopher Columbus - were brought to life through words, music and spectacle. The scale of the productions was often ambitious: a water tank with model floating ships was deployed at Sadler's Wells for the staging of the Siege of Gibraltar, and another production on the same theme used live cannons which set fire to the vessels in each performance. This illustrated volume, researched and written by experts in the field, explores contemporary theatrical documents (playbills, set designs, musical scores) and images (paintings, prints and illustrations) in seeking to explain what counted as history and historical truth for the writers, performers and audiences of these plays. In doing so it debates the peculiar contradictions of staging history and re-examines some spectacular box office hits.

Seller Inventory # LU-9781851244560

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Staging History
• Publisher: Bodleian Library, GB
• Publication Date: 2016
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1851244565
• ISBN 13: 9781851244560
• Binding: Paperback
• Condition: New
• Weight: 672 grams

About this title

Synopsis

Throughout the late-eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, historical events were tremendously popular as adaptations for the stage. From the Revolutionary War to the French Revolution, stage dramas brought history vividly to life through powerful vocal performances and visual spectacle. The scale of the production was often ambitious, such as a Sadler’s Well staging of the Great Siege of Gibraltar, which featured a large water tank with floating vessels. Another production on the same topic added live cannons, which set fire to the vessels during the performance!

Drawing on copious new research, Staging History reexamines extraordinary theatrical works of the period to show the role they played in shaping popular interpretations of history. Editors Michael Burden, Wendy Heller, Jonathan Hicks, and Ellen Lockhart are joined by other experts in the field in analyzing theatrical documents, including playbills, set designs, and musical scores, as well as paintings, prints, and other illustrations, in order to explore what counted as historical truth for the writers, performers, and audiences of these plays.
 

About the Author

Michael Burden is professor of opera studies at Oxford University, a fellow in music at the New College, and chair of the Faculty of Music Board. Wendy Heller is professor in and chair of the Department of Music at Princeton University. Jonathan Hicks is a postdoctoral research fellow in the Music Department at Kings College London. Ellen Lockhart is assistant professor of musicology in the Faculty of Music at the University of Toronto.