Reading Opera between the Lines
Subtitle: Orchestral Interludes and Cultural Meaning from Wagner to Berg (New Perspectives in Music History and Criticism)
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Published: May 20, 2002
Language: eng
Format: Hardcover
Number of pages: 232
ISBN-13: 9780521807388
Subjects: Opera; Romantic music (c 1830 to c 1900); Theory of music & musicology; History and criticism; Music/Songbooks; Music; Philosophy and aesthetics; Genres & Styles - Opera; History & Criticism - General; Music / Opera; Music--Philosophy and aesthetics; Entr'acte music
Description: "A characteristic feature of Wagnerian and post-Wagnerian opera is the tendency to link scenes with numerous and often surprisingly lengthy orchestral interludes, frequently performed with the curtain closed. Often taken for granted or treated as a filler by audiences and critics, these interludes can take on very prominent roles, representing dream sequences, journeys and sexual encounters. Combining studies of individual musical texts with an investigation of the critical discourse surrounding the operas, Christopher Morris investigates the implications of these important but strangely overlooked passages."--Jacket.