In first nights at the opera, the renowned music scholar thomas kelly narrates the social history of european opera during its golden age by taking us behind the scenes at the premiere performances of five extraordinary and influential operas. I bought this book after taking his free online course through edx. Thomas forrest kelly sets the scene for each of these premieres, describing the. Ebook free first nights at the opera, by thomas forrest kelly. First nights by professor thomas forrest kelly waterstones. Monteverdisorfeoin 1607, handelsmessiah in1742, beethovens ninth symphony in 1824, berliozssymphonie fantastiquein 1830, and stravinskyssacre du printempsin 19. Five musical premieres new ed by kelly, thomas forrest isbn.
But as professor of music thomas forrest kelly tells the 450 students gathered in sanders theatre for literature and arts b51his core course on first nights. The utah symphony is performing the iconic work under the direction of maestro thierry fischer, using it as an opportunity to talk to music scholar thomas forrest kelly about the night in 1808 when beethovens fifth was first performed and about why it has endured for more than 200 years. These kinds of support will make people additional usa. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Thomas kelly s first nights at the opera is bound to be loved by opera aficionados as well as people just beginning to be fascinated with a musical form that is both intricate and beautiful. Throughout the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, opera was the grandest entertainment in western culture. I can honestly say i know a lot more after taking the course and reading first nights. Monteverdis orfeo in 1607, handels messiah in 1742, beethovens. First nights at the opera by professor thomas forrest kelly. This lively book takes us back to the very first performances of five famous pieces of music. Thomas forrest kellys impressive new book is an account of the premiered of five important musical compositions. Orfeo was a combination of learned experiment and courtly entertainment.
First nights at the opera by thomas forrest kelly 2006. Five musical premieres professor thomas forrest kelly, thomas. This lively book takes us back to the first performances of five famous musical compositions. Thomas forrest kelly is the author of the new book capturing music. We should like to have been among the spectators in the ducal theater at mantua, attending or, as the italians more significantly put it, assisting at the first performance of. It appears to be higher when a publication could be the finest. Five musical premieres by thomas forrest kelly 2000, hardcover at the best online. Thomas forrest kelly was born in greensboro, north carolina.
First nights isa brilliant essay in synthesis, continuously alert to those extramusical pressures, exerted by everything from snobbery and bureaucracy to sex and ambition, that added their burdens of stress to the birth of these musical masterpieces. Covering all historical periods and genres, the book gives students all the. Thomas forrest kelly sets the scene for each of these premieres, describing. The course is very friendly and engaging, and the book brings more detail and depth. Yale university press, 2000, a popular text that examines the cultural history of five landmark premieres in the. Five performance premieresa premiere takes place as part of a large matrix of cultural experiences. Monteverdis orfeo in 1607, handels messiah in 1742, beethovens ninth symphony in 1824, berliozs symphonie fantastique in 1830, and stravinskys sacre du printemps in 19.
This book is first and foremost a generalinterest book, for people who enjoy. Discover book depositorys huge selection of thomas forrest kelly books online. Envision that you obtain such specific awesome encounter as well as knowledge by only reading a book first nights at the opera, by thomas forrest kelly. Five musical premieres by thomas forrest kelly at indigo. With its abundant portfolios of documents and sensitively chosen illustrations, this is the kind of book that ha. Ebook ebook free first nights at the opera, by thomas.
Thomas forrest kelly has been professor of music at harvard university since 1994 and was chair of the department of music from 1999 to 2005. Five musical premieres, music historian kelly harvard univ. What was it like to be present at the first performance of a great work of music. First nights at the opera, by thomas forrest kelly. Buy first nights at the opera 1st by thomas forrest kelly isbn. This is the setting and the year for the first section of the book including the world condition at the time. First nights at the opera has 2 available editions to buy at half price books marketplace. Five musical premieres by kelly, thomas forrest, kelly, professor thomas forrest and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. First nights by thomas forrest kelly overdrive rakuten. Five musical premiers various other viewers will be able to choose with regards to a e book. I like classical music but i dont know much about it. Five musical premieres and first nights at the opera. Free shipping and pickup in store on eligible orders. The story started out in the town of sighet in transylvania.
Repeating the successful format of his earlier first nights. He is professor of music at harvard university, and he lives in cambridge, massachusetts. Thomas forrest kelly sets the scene for each of these premieres, describing the cities in which they took place, the concert halls, audiences, conductors, and musicians, the sound of the music when it was first performed often with instruments now extinct, and the popular and critical responses. Orfeo, unlike the other pieces in this book, was first performed not in public but in private, for a learned association, an academy of male nobles in the dukes palace in mantua, at the end of the carnival season preceding lent.
He attended groton school, and the university of north carolina at chapel hill a. Thomas forrest kelly teaches about first nightsmusical. Shop amongst our popular books, including 15, the role of the scroll, capturing music and more from thomas forrest. Kelly, thomas forrest, first nights at the opera, yale university press new haven, ct, 2004. First nights by professor thomas forrest kelly, 9780300091052, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide. First nights at the opera by thomas forrest kelly goodreads. He was artistic director of the castle hill festival massa. This lively book takes us back to the first performances of five famou. Theres much more to first nights thanthe title might lead you to believe.
Thomas forrest kelly has made a striking new contribution to the discussion. Five musical premiers by thomas forrest kelly this book tells the story of five operatic premieres. What was it like at the opening night of mozarts don giov. First nights at the opera book by thomas forrest kelly 2. With its abundant portfolios of documents and sensitively chosen illustrations, this is the kind of book that has. Books for general readers are listed first here, followed by more scholarly and technical books. This lively book takes us back to the first performances of five famous musical. Thomas forrest kelly sets the scene for each of these premieres. City, chant, and the topography of early music presents thirteen essays by fifteen authors in honor of thomas forrest kelly, the renowned harvard professor, revered scholar of medieval chant traditions, and the celebrated author of the successful first nights new haven, ct.