Literature as Opera

The author examines the fascinating circumstances in which composers have found works of literature suitable for opera, & how they have transmuted into musical & dramatic terms the essential features of works that in some cases may not ever have been plays. Each work here described has proved a classic both in its original form & on the musical stage – the book illustrates 9 different genres. There are musical examples & some photos throughout the book. Main *An opening perspective * Orlando, Ariodante, Alcina * The Marriage of Figaro * Maria Stuarda & Lucia de Lammermoor * Benvenuto Cellini * Macbeth * Eugene Onegin * Salome *Alban Wozzeck *Benjamin Death in Venice *Afterword