This study examines the tradition of opera as drama, as achieved by the inter-relationship of text, plot and music. Dr Tanner sees opera as an art-form uniquely liable to corruption of one sort or another, and its history as a series of heroic calls to excellence interspersed with long periods of domination by the mediocre. The story begins with opera's first master, Monteverdi, and later focuses on Mozart and Wagner as its two greatest exponents. Tanner's method is to discuss a small number of key works in depth rather than to survey a wide field, and his critical responses are unconventional and controversial.
- ISBN10 0460860739
- ISBN13 9780460860734
- Publish Date 1 January 2003
- Publish Status Cancelled
- Out of Print 17 October 2003
- Publish Country GB
- Publisher Orion Publishing Co
- Imprint Phoenix (an Imprint of The Orion Publishing Group Ltd )
- Format Hardcover
- Pages 416
- Language English