Nero in Opera: Librettos as Transformations of Ancient Sources

Gesine Manuwald

Published by De Gruyter 2013

Nero in Opera

Librettos as Transformations of Ancient Sources

Gesine Manuwald

Volume 24 in the series Transformationen der Antike

https://doi.org/10.1515/9783110317510

Overview
Contents

About this book

This book considers the story of Nero and Octavia, as told in the pseudo-Senecan Octavia and the works of ancient historiographers, and its reception in (early) modern opera and some related examples of other performative genres. In total the study assembles more than 30 performative texts (including 22 librettos), ranging chronologically from L'incoronazione di Poppea in 1642/43 until the early 20th century, and provides detailed information on all of them. In a close examination of the libretto (and dramatic) texts, the study shows the impact and development of this fascinating story from the beginnings of historical opera onwards. The volume demonstrates the various transformations of the characters of Nero and his wives and of the depiction of their relationship over the centuries, and it looks at the tension between “historical” elements and genre conventions. The book is therefore of relevance to literary scholars as well as to readers interested in the evolution of Nero’s image in present-day media.

Author / Editor information

Gesine Manuwald, University College London, UK.

Supplementary Materials

Contents

Topics

Frontmatter Publicly Available Download PDF	i
Preface and acknowledgements Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	v
Contents Publicly Available Download PDF	vii
1. Introduction Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	1
2. Nero in opera Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	37
3. Nero in pieces of other performative genres Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	255
4. Conclusions Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	347
Appendices Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	359
Bibliography Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	395

(Deutsch)

Language: English
Publisher: De Gruyter
Audience: readers interested in history of culture and opera
Pages
- Front matter: 8
- Main content: 410
Keywords: Nero; Octavia; opera

eBook

Published: May 28, 2013
ISBN: 9783110317510

Hardcover

Published: May 21, 2013
ISBN: 9783110317138