Opera and the Golden West
Subtitle: the past, present, and future of opera in the U.S.A.
By: edited by John L. DiGaetani and Josef P. Sirefman.
Contributors: DiGaetani, John Louis, 1943-; Sirefman, Josef P.
Publisher: Fairleigh Dickinson University Press; Associated University Presses
Published: 1994
Place of publication: Rutherford; London
Language: eng
Number of pages: 311
Subjects: Opera -- United States -- Congresses.
Description: Opera and the Golden West is a celebration of opera's difficult past in America. It focuses in part on early repertory and how European operatic masterpieces became part of American culture. This book also calls attention to the efforts of American composers as they continually tried to make original contributions to a foreign musical form. Throughout this anthology the contributors use a variety of approaches and styles to analyze the many aspects of opera, and how the form fared in the U.S.

In addition to observing where opera has been in this country, this anthology also has an eye to the future. Opera presentation in the coming century may be very different from the current experience. Economics, always a critical factor, may well dictate a different scale of production. Changing tastes in directorial and production values and the expansion of television and video into the home are indicators that a new era has arrived.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (p. 302-304) and index.
Based on a conference held at Hofstra University, sponsored by the Hofstra Cultural Center.