Mozarts Operas: A Companion

About this book

This wise and friendly guide to Mozarts operas encompasses the full range of his most popular worksFigaro Don Giovanni Cos Magic Flute Seraglio Clemenza di Titoas well as lesser known works like Mitridate and Il re Pastore. Music historian Mary Hunter provides a lively introduction to each opera for any listener who has enjoyed a performance either on the stage or in a video recording and who wishes to understand the opera more fully. The Companion includes a synopsis and commentary on each work as well as background information on the three main genres in which Mozart wrote: opera seria opera buffa and Singspiel. An essay on the anatomy of a Mozart opera points out the musical conventions with which the composer worked and suggests nontechnical ways to think about his musical choices. The book also places modern productions of the operas in historical context and explores how modern directors producers and conductors present Mozarts works today. Filled with factual information and interesting issues to ponder while watching a performance this guide will appeal to newcomers and seasoned opera aficionados alike.