Exploring the many dimensions of Giacomo Puccini's historical legacy and significance, this book provides new perspectives on the life and work of a much-loved opera composer and demonstrates how political concerns shape the way we approach and perform his works in the present day. Accessibly written chapters by a range of international experts explore Puccini's interests, attitudes, and relationships, and examine how his works reflected the cultural, political, and social zeitgeist of their time. The essays first map Puccini's personal and professional networks, the regions and cities that meant so much to him, and his travels for both work and leisure. They go on to probe the composer's attitudes towards contemporary developments in music, literature, film, and drama and investigate his collaboration with librettists, publishers, singers, and conductors. The book closes with chapters on Puccini's compositional legacy, performance history, relationship with popular culture, and place in the international operatic canon.
Edited by:
Alexandra Wilson (Oxford Brookes University)
Imprint: Cambridge University Press
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Weight: 617g
ISBN: 9781108835589
ISBN 10: 1108835589
Series: Composers in Context
Pages: 350
Publication Date: 14 September 2023
Audience:
General/trade
,
ELT Advanced
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active
Part I. Formative Influences: 1. Forefathers and teachers Alexandra Wilson; 2. Contemporaries and competitors Richard Erkens; 3. Puccini's women Helen M. Greenwald; Part II. Puccini's Places: 4. Puccini's Tuscany Axel Körner; 5. Puccini in Milan Ditlev Rindom; 6. Puccini's travels: western Europe Flora Willson; 7. Puccini's travels: central Europe Richard Erkens; 8. Puccini the long-distance traveller Ellen Lockhart; Part III. Influences and Interests: 9. Musical influences, parallels and borrowings Nigel Simeone; 10. Italian literature of Puccini's day Suzanne Stewart-Steinberg; 11. Drama and acting in Puccini's Italy Ditlev Rindom; 12. Puccini and early film Christy Thomas Adams; 13. Puccini and technology Nigel Simeone; Part IV. Bringing Puccini to the Stage: 14. Puccini's librettists Helen M. Greenwald; 15. Music publishing in Puccini's Italy Christy Thomas Adams; 16. Puccini's theatrical vision Helen M. Greenwald; 17. Puccini's singers Hilary Poriss; 18. Puccini's conductors; Part V. Image and Reputation: 19. Puccini in pictures Alessandra Palidda; 20. Puccini's Italian critics Jane Sylvester; 21. Memorialisation and biography Arnold Jacobshagen; Part VI. Puccini through a political lens: 22. Puccini and religion Andrew Holden; 23. Puccini and politics Ben Earle; 24. Gender politics in Puccini's operas Flora Willson; 25. The racial politics of Madama Butterfly and Turandot Kunio Hara; Part VII. Interpreting Puccini: 26. Editing Puccini Ditlev Rindom; 27. Puccini on video Emanuele Senici; 28. Interpreting Puccini on stage and on disc Hugo Shirley; 29. Producing Puccini today David Levin; Part VIII. Legacy: 30. Puccini's Legacy, influence and meaning Leon Botstein; 31. Puccini in popular culture John Snelson; 32. Puccini and the canon Alexandra Wilson; Bibliography; Index.
Alexandra Wilson is Professor of Music and Cultural History at Oxford Brookes University. Her books include The Puccini Problem (2007), Opera in the Jazz Age (2019), and Puccini's La bohème (2021).
