Francesco Bartolomeo Conti


Book Description

First Published in 1999, Hermine Weigel Williams’ study draws on more than thirty years of research to fill this noticeable lacuna , and presents here the first full scale life and works of the composer for over ninety years. Part One of the book surveys the biographical aspects of Conti’s career. Appointed court theorist at the age of nineteen, Conti was promoted to court composer in 1713-14. Williams examines Conti’s creative collaborations with some of the leading poet-librettists of the day, and the influence of his music that can be identified in works by Telemann, Bach and Handel. Part Two comprises close analyses of Conti’s compositions: his instrumental music, cantatas, operas, intermezzos, oratorios and sacred music. Williams reveals Conti as a composer who constantly experimented with a wide range of French, German and Italian ideas and techniques to create his own diverse musico-dramatic style.







The Clarinet


Book Description

The clarinet has a long and rich history as a solo, orchestral, and chamber musical instrument. In this broad-ranging account Eric Hoeprich, a performer, teacher, and expert on historical clarinets, explores its development, repertoire, and performance history. Looking at the antecedents of the clarinet, as well as such related instruments as the chalumeau, basset horn, alto clarinet, and bass clarinet, Hoeprich explains the use and development of the instrument in the Baroque age. The period from the late 1700s to Beethoven's early years is shown to have fostered ever wider distribution and use of the instrument, and a repertoire of increasing richness. The first half of the nineteenth century, a golden age for the clarinet, brought innovation in construction and great virtuosity in performance, while the following century and a half produced a surge in new works from many composers. The author also devotes a chapter to the role of the clarinet in bands, folk music, and jazz.






















Opera Companies and Houses of Western Europe, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand


Book Description

Although books have been written about various opera houses throughout the world, no one work has covered more than a relatively small number of the larger, well known companies and houses, and none have made more than brief mention of the smaller houses. No book has comprehensively listed opera repertories. Little, in sum, has been written about any of the smaller companies and houses located in non-English-speaking countries. This is the most comprehensive reference book ever written on opera companies and houses in Western Europe, Canada, Australia and New Zealand-over 300, from the well known to the smaller. Each entry includes a history of the opera house or company, the works (title and composer) and type of productions offered, company staff, world and country premieres, repertory, and practical information on the theater's address, nearby hotel accommodations and how to order tickets. Most entries conclude with a bibliography.