Description
Book SynopsisFor thirty years the opera-house was the principal focus of Handel's creative work and he composed more than forty operas over this period. In this book, David Kimbell sets Handel's operas in their biographical and cultural contexts, exploring the librettos and the music, and how the operas were performed.
Trade Review'Not only do the carefully selected examples superbly articulate the points Kimbell wishes to make, but readers are also provided with a range of additional elements to help them follow the argument or fill potential gaps in background knowledge. … This well-written study is an essential read for anyone with an interest in Handel's operas.' Matthew Gardner, Early Music
Table of ContentsPreface; 1. Handel and opera – a biographical survey of the circumstances; 2. The libretto (1) – argument – dramatis personae; 3. The libretto (2) – words for music; 4. The music (1) – mastering the medium; 5. The music (2) – its role in the drama; 6. Aspects of the performance of Handelian opera in his time and in ours; Appendix: an overview of the repertory of the Royal Academy of Music.
