Ellen T. Harris is Professor Emeritus at MIT in Music and Theater Arts. Her research has focused largely on the music of Handel. Her books include the award-winning George Frideric Handel: A Life with Friends (Norton, 2014) and Handel as Orpheus: Voice and Desire in the Chamber Cantatas (Harvard, 2001). She has performed twice with John Williams and the Boston Pops and sung the National Anthem at Fenway Park.
"""Harris' comprehensive, concise, and well-organized volume will prove a durable, invaluable guide for musicologist, conductor, singer, stage director, dramaturg, or opera fan."" --Ryan James Brandau, Early Music America ""The first edition is a fine study, but the renewal of interest in both scholarship and performance of Purcell's works in general and of Dido and Aeneas in particular make the second edition a welcome contribution. ... Summing Up: Highly recommended. Upper-division undergraduates through faculty and professionals."" --M. J. Duffy IV, CHOICE"