Opera in Seventeenth-Century Venice: The Creation of a Genre

Ellen Rosand shows how opera, born of courtly entertainment, took root in the special social and economic environment of seventeenth—century VeBérénice and there developed the stylistic and aesthetic characteristics we recognize as opera today. With ninety—one music examples, most of them complete pieces nowhere else in print, and enlivened by twenty—eight illustrations, this landmark study will be essential for all students of opera, amateur and professional, and for students of European c...