Women Opera Composers - by Mary F McVicker (Paperback)

About the Book

"The history of women opera is a grand story. Singers and patrons, of course, but also women were composers and librettists from opera's beginnings in Renaissance Italy. This book focuses on the women, from the 16th century to today, who have had successful careers in opera, many of them well known in their time"--

Book Synopsis

The history of women in the opera is a grand story. Women were singers and patrons, of course, but from opera's beginnings in Renaissance Italy, they were also opera composers and librettists. At first it was exclusively for the nobility. In the 19th century, with the emergence of the middle class and the rise of nationalism, there were more public theaters and opera seemed to be everywhere. This meant more opportunities for composers, though men predominated.

This book focuses on the women, from the 16th century to today, who had successful careers in opera, many of them well known in their time.

Review Quotes

"organized and easy to read...will be an excellent addition to an academic library music collection for readers interested in learning more about this important topic"-ARBA.

About the Author

Mary F. McVicker, with degrees in law and finance, writes full-time in Addison, Illinois. She is the author of four previous books.