Opera in London: views of the press, 1785-1830

Abstract

Theodore Fenner s Opera in London offers a vivid portrait of operatic cultural life of a London under influence of Romanticism as perceived by English press public who viewed performances.In part 1, Fenner discusses rise of periodical press in early nineteenth-century London critics of these publications who reviewed opera performances, such as Leigh Hunt William Hazlitt. Fenner lists in appendixes for part 1 leading periodicalsincluding Althenaeum, Examiner, and Spectator, the critics, reviews by leading critics.Fenner, in part 2, examines productions of Italian opera in London at King s Theatre, including problems in theatre management financing; varied nature of audience; operas performances those that were popular those that failed in words of critics responses of audience; singers; themes attitudes of period as expressed by critics. In part 3, Fenner explores same topics for English operas presented at Drury Lane, Covent Garden, other playhouses.Parts 2 3 also contain extensive appendixes listing seasonal annual performances reviews, productions by composers by librettists, comic serious productions, operas by known playwrights, minor singers. Forty-eight illustrations of singers, critics, performances, composers, theatres add to richness of this study.

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