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Summary:

The stage works of Saint-Saëns range from grand open-air pageants to one-act comic operas, and include the first composed film score. Yet, with the exception of Samson et Dalila, his twelve operas have lain in the shadows since the composer's death in 1921. Widely performed in his lifetime, they vanished from the repertory - never played, never recorded - until now. With four twenty-first-century revivals as a backdrop, this timely book is the first study of Saint-Saëns's operas, demonstrating the presence of the same breadth and versatility as in his better known works. Hugh Macdonald's wide knowledge of French music in the nineteenth century gives a powerful understanding of the different conventions and expectations that governed French opera at the time. The interaction of Saint-Saëns with his contemporaries is a colourful and important part of the story.

Table of Contents:

• Cover; Half-title page; Series page; Frontispiece; Title page; Copyright page; Dedication; Contents; List of Illustrations; Preface; 1 Preparations for Opera: Le Martyre de Vivia, Le Duc de Parme; 2 Le Timbre d'argent; 3 Samson et Dalila; 4 La Princesse jaune; 5 Étienne Marcel; 6 Henry VIII; 7 Gabriella di Vergy, Proserpine; 8 Ascanio; 9 La Crampe des écrivains, Phryné; 10 Antigone, Frédégonde; 11 Javotte, Déjanire (open air); 12 Lola, Les Barbares; 13 Parysatis, Botriocéphale, Andromaque, Le Roi Apépi, Hélène; 14 L'Ancêtre, La Foi
• 15 L'Assassinat du Duc de Guise, Déjanire (opera), On ne badine pas avec l'amour16 Saint-Saëns the Dramatist; Bibliography; Discography; Index

Author/Creator:

Macdonald, Hugh, 1940- , author

Languages:

English

Language Notes:

Item content: English

Main Work:

Saint-Saëns and the stage: operas, plays, pageants, a ballet and a film [by Macdonald, H.]

Related Series:

Cambridge studies in opera

Subjects:

Saint-Saëns, Camille, 1835-1921 — Criticism and interpretation

Opera — 19th century

Dramatic music — 19th century — History and criticism

Saint-Saëns, Camille, 1835-1921

1800-1899

Opera

Dramatic music

Criticism and interpretation

Genres:

Criticism, interpretation, etc.

General Notes:

Description based on: Online resource; title from PDF title page (EBSCO, viewed April 2, 2019).
Includes bibliographical references and index.

Physical Description:

1 online resource.

Digital Characteristics:

text file

Call Numbers:

ML410.S15 M333 2019eb

ISBNs:

9781108615761 (electronic bk.)
1108615767 (electronic bk.)
9781108550925 (ebook)
1108550924 (ebook)
9781108426381 (hardback) [Invalid]
9781108445092 (paperback) [Invalid]

OCLC Numbers:

1091028997