- Sign In
- Help
-
My Basket0
Your basket is empty.
Angels and Monsters: Male and Female Sopranos in the Story of Opera, 1600-1900 (Hardback)
Richard Somerset-Ward (author)
£25.00
Hardback
Published: 21/05/2004
- Not available
During its first two centuries, opera was dominated by sopranos. There were male sopranos, or castrati, whose supercharged voices (female vocal cords powered by male lungs) were capable of feats of vocalism that are hard to imagine today. And there were female sopranos, or prime donnas, whose long battle for social acceptance and top billing was crowned in the early nineteenth century when the castrati disappeared from the opera stage and left them supreme. Whether they were male or female, these singers were amazing virtuosi, perhaps the greatest singers there have ever been - "angels". Unfortunately, some of them (and often the most famous) were also capable of behaving extremely badly, both on and off stage - "monsters." This book tells their colourful stories. Besides providing fascinating anecdotes about some of those who graced and disgraced the operatic stage, Richard Somerset-Ward tells the story of their greatest glory - the singing tradition they founded and perfected, which we know as bel canto and which is still the backbone of operatic singing today.
Rich in musical, social, and cultural lore, Angels and Monsters illuminates a unique and vanished tradition and will be irresistible to opera lovers everywhere.
Publisher: Yale University Press
ISBN: 9780300099683
Weight: 635 g
Dimensions: 239 x 156 x 32 mm
You may also be interested in...
Added to basket
£16.99
Paperback
Added to basket
£16.95
Paperback
Added to basket
£6.99
Paperback
Added to basket
£12.99
Paperback
Added to basket
£9.99
Paperback
Added to basket
£7.99
Paperback
Added to basket
£16.99
Paperback
Added to basket
£9.99
Paperback
Added to basket
£9.99
Paperback
Added to basket
£6.99
Paperback
Added to basket
£17.99
Paperback
Added to basket
£9.99
Paperback
Added to basket
£24.95
Hardback
Added to basket
£12.00
Paperback
Added to basket
£24.99
Paperback
Added to basket
£16.99
Paperback
Please sign in to write a review
Sign In
Sign In
Click & Collect
Simply reserve online and pay at the counter when you collect.
Available in shop from just two hours, subject to availability.
Thank you for your reservation
Your order is now being processed and we have sent a confirmation email to you at
When will my order be ready to collect?
Following the initial email, you will be contacted by the shop to confirm that your item is available for collection.
Call us on or send us an email at
Unfortunately there has been a problem with your order
Please try again or alternatively you can contact your chosen shop on or send us an email at