This book approaches opera fantasias – instrumental works that use themes from a single opera as the body of their virtuosic and flamboyant material – both historically and theoretically, concentrating on compositions for and by woodwind-instrument performers in Italy in the nineteenth century.
Important overlapping strands include the concept of virtuosity and its gradual demonization, the strong gendered overtones of individual woodwind instruments and of virtuosity, the distinct Italian context of these fantasias, the presentation and alteration of opera narratives in opera fantasias, and the technical and social development of woodwind instruments. Like opera itself, the opera fantasia is a popular art form, stylistically predictable yet formally flexible, based heavily on past operatic tradition and prefabricated materials. Through archival research in Italy, theoretical analysis, and exploration of European cultural contexts, this book clarifies a genre that has been consciously stifled and societal resonances that still impact music reception and performance today.
By:
Rachel N. Becker
Imprint: Routledge
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions:
Height: 234mm,
Width: 156mm,
Weight: 1.350kg
ISBN: 9781032491769
ISBN 10: 1032491760
Series: Routledge Research in Music
Pages: 236
Publication Date: 29 March 2024
Audience:
College/higher education
,
Primary
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active
Introduction Chapter 1: The opera fantasia in musicological context Chapter 2: The Italian context Chapter 3: Genre theory and the opera fantasia Chapter 4: Gender implications of the opera fantasia Chapter 5: A return to musical narrative through the opera fantasia Chapter 6: Opera fantasias on Verdi’s Rigoletto, Il trovatore, and Un ballo in maschera Conclusion
Rachel N. Becker is Assistant Professor of Musicology and Oboe at Boise State University, USA. She previously taught at the University of Cambridge, UK. Rachel’s research focuses on issues of genre, virtuosity, and gender. She has published on musical ecphrasis and on gendering of woodwind instruments, and she remains active internationally as an oboist.
