Description
Book SynopsisDrawing on hundreds of operas, sing-spiels, ballets, and plays with supernatural themes, this book argues that the tension between fantasy and Enlightenment-era rationality shaped some of the most important works of eighteenth-century musical theater and profoundly influenced how audiences and critics responded to them.
Trade Review"This book brings to the fore, for the first time, a significant aspect of eighteenth-century opera, providing a new means of understanding elements of the marvelous, the supernatural, and the magical that operate across genres and national boundaries. The reach of David Buch's investigation - over such a broad time span and including such vast repertories - is outstanding. Magic Flutes and Enchanted Forests is an astonishing achievement." - Marita P. McClymonds, University of Virginia"
