Giacomo Puccini: Tosca (Cambridge Opera Handbooks) - Softcover

Carner, Mosco

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0521296617 ISBN 13: 9780521296618

Publisher: Cambridge University Press, 1985

Synopsis

This book is intended primarily as a guide for the opera goer. It includes a synopsis of the plot, with indications of the themes and motifs used in it, and discusses the style of the opera, Tosca being a typical example of Italian naturalism in operas, verismo. It compares Puccini's libretto with Sardou's play La Tosca, analyses the close-knit structure of the work and examines salient points in the music. It also describes the genesis of the work (quoting wherever appropriate, Puccini's own remarks about it), its first production and early reception. A subsidiary aim of the book is to present the opinions, positive and negative, that have been expressed by various critics about the opera since its first production in 1900. There are contributions from the celebrated singer and producer of Tosca Tito Gobbi, and two other musicologists, Roger Parker and William Ashbrook. Malcolm Walker has provided a discography.

About this title

Book Description:

Compares Puccini's libretto for the opera Tosca with Sardou's play, and analyzes its musical structure. Describes the genesis of the work, initial production and early reception. Also considers the range of criticism, positive and negative, generated by the opera since its initial production in 1900.

About this edition

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Publication date: 1985
• ISBN 10: 0521296617
• ISBN 13: 9780521296618
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 176