Whats Really Going On!

Iris J. Arnesen

This book contains analyses of the stories and music of nine operas, presented in chronological order from 1791 to 1928. These great works are most readily approached with an understanding of the conventions of the several operatic genres as well as the social conditions that influenced the composers and librettists. The popular and intellectual movements that influenced the operas and the original source material are also discussed. The operas are Mozarts The Magic Flute, Beethovens Fidelio, Donizettis Lucia di Lammermoor, Wagners The Flying Dutchman, Verdis Rigoletto, Bizets Carmen, Leoncavallos Pagliacci, Strauss Salome, and Brechts The Threepenny Opera.