Wow! eBook
Idomeneo
Author(s): Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (Author)
- Publisher: Oneworld Classics
- Publication Date: July 14, 2010
- Language: English
- Print length: 172 pages
- ISBN-10: 1847495397
- ISBN-13: 9781847495396
Book Description
Mozart wrote Idomeneo when he was 24 years old, and the opera was described by Albert Einstein as “one of those works that even a genius like Mozart could write only once in his life.” It is one of most astonishing achievements of an altogether astonishing career. In this newly commissioned guide, Julian Rushton explains the special nature of the music in a detailed analysis of its themes and development, while Nicholas Till places the opera in its context as an expression of the Enlightenment. Gary Kahn explores the performance history of an opera which, although largely ignored for more than 150 years, has now taken its place as part of the international operatic repertoire. A selection of the unique letters between Mozart and his father written during the opera’s composition is also included. The guide contains a detailed thematic analysis and the original libretto with a facing literal translation of all the words that Mozart set to music in the various performing versions during his lifetime. There is a discography, DVD guide, bibliography, and a list of websites that will allow the reader to explore the opera further.
Editorial Reviews
Review
“These guides, so beautiful to have and to behold, mark a huge advance on their predecessors. I find them essential supplements, not only to ENO and Royal Opera programmes, but to recordings issued on CD which often come without scholarly documentation and a libretto. The performance histories – of which I wrote one myself – are especially valuable, and not easily accessible elsewhere.” ―Hugh Canning of The Sunday Times
“For anyone with a keen interest in opera, whatever their level of knowledge, this series remains a benchmark of quality and clarity. The content is serious, reliable and trustworthy, handsomely put together, full of variety and scholarship but always making the practical experience of going to the opera a priority. I return to these volumes again and again and find the updated and new issues absolutely invaluable.” ―Fiona Maddocks of The Observer
“This uniformly excellent series is indispensable for the serious opera lover, all the more so now that almost all the CD companies have abandoned issuing a libretto with their opera releases, and have such scant background information. The English translations are on facing pages with the original texts, and in all respects the books are helpful and compact, and interestingly illustrated.” ―Michael Tanner of The Spectator
“I am delighted to see the return of the ENO Opera Guides, bigger and even more authoritative than before. There are authoritative new articles as well as several of the irreplaceable originals, the presentation is very handsome and a decided gain is the brilliantly chosen selection of production images, in colour as well as black and white. The Guides are an invaluable reference for opera lovers at any level.” ―David Nice of The Arts Desk
