The Great Opera Stars in Historic Photographs


Book Description

This is a book devoted to photographs of opera singers: not operas, not opera houses, but the stars of opera, the personalities who bring operas to life and to whom audiences and composers owe an everlasting debt of gratitude. In assembling the photos, we tried to find as many examples of great and near-great singers as possible, dating back as early as possible. In general, we did not include singers whose careers began after World War II. - Introduction.







Stars of the Opera, 1950-1985, in Photographs


Book Description

This volume picks up where The Great Opera Stars in Historic Photographs left off. It is a record covering the postwar years to the present. Although most of the great stars of recent years will be found here, limitations of space and availability of photographs were also factors determining inclusion. With a few important exceptions, duplication of singers represented in the earlier volume has been avoided. - Introduction.




The Building of the Panama Canal in Historic Photographs


Book Description

The tale of the canal's construction unfolds in a compelling narrative of risks, hardships, disasters, and triumph. More than 160 historic photographs document the hitherto unparalleled technological achievement, depicting exotic settings, workers' housing, Canal Zone's internal government, dredging operations, and other scenes from a true story of adventure, revolution, ordeal, and accomplishment.




J. S. Bach, Volume Two


Book Description

Volume 2 of 2-volume set. This stimulating narrative traces Bach's life; discusses contemporary artistic and philosophical movements; assesses the work of his predecessors Schutz, Scheidt, Buxtehude, etc., analyzes Bach's own work; and passes on brilliant recommendations for performance — tempo, phrasing, accentuation, dynamics, etc. Translated by Ernest Newman.




The Perfect Wagnerite


Book Description

The famous playwright's enlightening and provocative criticism surveys the four Wagner operas known as The Ring. Shaw explores the works' philosophic and social ideology as well as Wagner's life, music drama versus grand opera, the role of the Leitmotif in unifying the cycle, Siegfried's character, and many other fascinating subjects.




Famous Mozart Operas


Book Description

Music excerpts are presented to show Mozart's use of tonal quality, voice interaction, and mood and melody changes in his five greatest operas




Science and Music


Book Description

Distinguished physicist describes the scientific principles of musical sound in a non-technical way: development of human hearing, properties of sound curves, transmission and reproduction of sound curves, more. Includes 75 illustrations.




Jean-Philippe Rameau


Book Description

Definitive, full-scale biography and critical study of great 18th-century composer. Rameau's life and times, influence on Gluck, acoustic and harmonic theories, other topics, plus full treatment of great operas and ballets. Over 300 musical examples.




Children's Fashions of the Past in Photographs


Book Description

Capture a glimpse of yesteryear with these 165 studio photos of American and European children from the 1860s to the 1920s.