French Baroque Opera: A Reader : Revised Edition

From the outset, French opera generated a huge diversity of literature, familiarity with which greatly enhances our understanding of this unique art form. Yet very little of that literature is available in English, despite a recent upsurge of interest. Drawing on a wide range of sources, this book provides an often entertaining insight into Lully’s Royal Academy of Music, and the colourful characters who surrounded it, to present an informative picture of the organization and evolution of French Baroque opera, its aims and aspirations, and its strengths and weaknesses. The translated passages are set in context, and readers are directed to further scholarly and critical writings in English.

From the outset, French opera generated an enormous diversity of literature, familiarity with which greatly enhances our understanding of this unique art form. Yet relatively little of that literature is available in English, despite an upsurge of interest in the Lully-Rameau period during the past two decades. This book presents a wide-ranging and informative picture of the organization and evolution of French Baroque opera, its aims and aspirations, its strengths and weaknesses. Drawing on official documents, theoretical writings, letters, diaries, dictionary entries, contemporary reviews and commentaries, it provides an often entertaining insight into Lully’s once-proud Royal Academy of Music and the colourful characters who surrounded it. The translated passages are set in context, and readers are directed to further scholarly and critical writings in English.

Readers will find this new, updated edition easier to use with its revised and expanded translations, supplementary explanatory content and new illustrations.