Fine 1st edition hardcover w/ full no. line showing 1st printing, as-new mylar-protected jacket, excellent smooth-cut text-block exterior w/ slight rust-dust spotting to top edge only being the only fault of this otherwise impeccable copy, impeccable charcoal-blue end-papers on heavy stock, new sewn binding w/ tight signatures & blue & white-checked cloth bands at spine-caps, pristine interior handsomely printed on excellent unblemished paper * 6.28" x 9.50" x 1.00", 0.60 kg, viii+248 (256) pp. * "Words can obviously be symbolical; music in my opinion also; staging has possibilities which today are better relished than understood. But in opera it is the partnership of these different components which counts, & they do need to blend together as a matter of intrinsic style." - Robert Donington * CONTENTS: List of Illustrations (vi), Acknowledgments (viii); Part I: Principles: Introduction (3), 1. A Totality of Symbols (5), 2. Words, Music, Staging (9), 3. Compatibility on Stage (13); Part II: Practice: 4. The Start of Opera (23), 5. Monteverdi (30), 6. The Age of Reason (41), 7. The Enlightenment (53), 8. A Masonic Vision (62), 9. The Romantic Movement (76), 10. Verdi (85), 11. Early Wagner (96), 12. Wagner's Ring (103), 13. Further Wagner (124), 14. The Last of Wagner (133), 15. Realism (141), 16. Strauss (156), 17. The Twentieth Century (170); Conclusion (189); Appendix: Musical Examples from Wagner's Ring (193); Notes (213), References (231), Index (239) * Robert Donington, the noted musicologist, performer & writer, is famous for his influential & provocative book 'Wagner's Ring & Its Symbols" & for his indispensable reference work 'The Interpretation of Early Music'. In this book he discusses the workings of symbolism in opera & the importance of respecting the composer's intentions in staging an opera. Only in this way, says Donington, can we be faithful to the conscious or unconscious symbolism invested in the work by the composer & librettist. * "Like everything else Donington has done, this book is extremely brilliant & full of provocative thoughts." - H.C. Robbins Landon, author of '1791: Mozart's Last Year' & 'Haydn: Chronicle & Works'. * SHIPPING: We custom wrap & label & securely package this superb book for shipment via USPS Media Mail at no charge (or via USPS Priority Mail for a nominal $10.00 charge) within the United States or at our posted rates to international destinations via USPS First Class Airmail (recommended) or USPS Priority Airmail.

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Bibliographic Details

Title: Opera and its Symbols: The Unity of Words, Music and Staging
Publisher: Yale University Press, New Haven & London
Publication Date: 1990
Language: English
ISBN 10: 0300047134
ISBN 13: 9780300047134
Binding: Hardcover
Edition: 1st Edition
Condition: Fine
Dust Jacket Condition: New

About this title

Synopsis

Explains the use of symbolism in opera, interprets scenes from Monteverdi, Mozart, Verdi, Wagner, Stravinsky, and Britten, and stresses the importance of staging an opera in accord with the composer's intended use of symbols

Reviews

In addition to his many other contributions to the study of music, Donington, who died in January 1990, was a keen student of both psychology and philosophy. His Wagner's "Ring" and Its Symbols (1968) was an important book at its time and may be considered the precursor of the present volume. Donington has made some revisions in his previous thoughts on Wagner and extended his thoughts on opera symbolism to include opera from Monteverdi to the 20th century, with especial emphasis on Verdi and Strauss. Some readers will come to different conclusions using the same assumptions as Donington, but all should find the book a rewarding, if not easy, read. Recommended for academic and public library music collections.
- William Shank, CUNY Graduate Sch. Lib.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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