This book explains how and why Gluck's historically important and best-loved opera Orfeo came into existence, and shows why it has retained its popularity. The work is placed in its context of Gluck's 'reform of opera', an artistic movement involving actors, dancers, designers, writers and philosophers, as well as musicians and librettists. Patricia Howard and her fellow contributors describe how the opera has been reinterpreted throughout the past two hundred years from its first performance. Differing twentieth-century views based on practical experience of the work are put forward by the conductors John Eliot Gardiner and Sir Charles Mackerras, the singer Kevin Smith and the English National Opera music consultant Tom Hammond.

This book explores all aspects of Gluck's historically important opera Orfeo.

Book Information
ISBN 9780521296649
Author Patricia Howard
Format Paperback
Page Count 156
Imprint Cambridge University Press
Publisher Cambridge University Press
Weight(grams) 229g
Dimensions(mm) 216mm * 138mm * 17mm