The Life of Rossini (Opera Library) - Softcover

Stendhal, R. N.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 071450632X ISBN 13: 9780714506326

Publisher: Calder Publications Ltd, 1975

Synopsis

Rossini's popularity in Italy in the early 1820s was certainly
not echoed in France where he was regarded as `an ill-bred parvenu, whose
cheap popularity was an insult to a great musical tradition' and thus
Stendhal, always an obstinate individualist, was the first of his
contemporaries to recognise the genius of this important Italian composer.

Stendhal's introduction to this book sets the musical climate in
perspective with a history of the interregnum between the death of Cimarosa
and the coming of Rossini. Details of Rossini's early life are followed by
penetrating discussions in the operas, libretti, personalities of the
period, and on Rossini's own character - indeed a whole chapter is devoted
to his wild sense of humour. No book of its period better captures the
atmosphere of opera-going during the birth-period of Romantic music.

Besides being a fascinating and penetrating account of this popular Italian
composer's most creative years and of contemporary musical events and
opinions, this work is one of the finest items in the Stendhalian literary
canon. Richard Coe's eloquent translation (revised for the second edition)
and careful annotations do full justice to the incandescent strength of
this great French writer's prose style.

About this title

Review

"The best appreciation of Rossini ever written." --Ernest Newman, author, "The Wagner Operas"

From the Publisher

Second Edition. Translated by Richard N. Coe.

Edition details

• Publisher: Calder Publications Ltd
• Publication date: 1975
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 071450632X
• ISBN 13: 9780714506326
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 566