In this lavishly illustrated volume, Ronald L. Davis tells the story of a regional opera company that won international recognition with dazzling productions during its first season and sustained the attention of opera lovers around the world for nearly two decades. In the late 1950s in Dallas, Texas, general manager Lawrence Kelly and artistic director Nicola Rescigno envisioned gorgeous music for the eye and ear. Their intent was to breathe new life into the traditional Italian and French repertory and to spice it with ...
Read More
In this lavishly illustrated volume, Ronald L. Davis tells the story of a regional opera company that won international recognition with dazzling productions during its first season and sustained the attention of opera lovers around the world for nearly two decades. In the late 1950s in Dallas, Texas, general manager Lawrence Kelly and artistic director Nicola Rescigno envisioned gorgeous music for the eye and ear. Their intent was to breathe new life into the traditional Italian and French repertory and to spice it with offerings of American premieres of lesser-known works. Although the fledgling company's seasons were short, they were "production for production" of a quality to match those staged in the finest opera houses in the world. In 1958, Maria Callas, the company's first prima donna, gave a towering performance as Violetta in Verdi's "La Traviata" and that same year, in her only American performances of "Medea," gave an interpretation of the title role worthy of Euripides. The Dallas Opera's roster of American debuts in its initial decades includes Joan Sutherland, Jon Vickers, Teresa Berganza, Placido Domingo, and Montserrat Caballe. In addition to recruiting the best singers from around the globe, Kelly and Rescigno imported an upcoming generation of European stage designers and directors, among them such now recognized giants as Franco Zeffirelli and Peter Hall. Long before most opera management gave much attention to lighting a stage creatively, they scouted the contemporary Broadway theater to enlist the talents of such lighting designers as Jean Rosenthal and Tharon Musser. Supported by a small group of civic-minded business leaders, the Dallas Opera during its early seasons was perhaps as close as the United States has ever come to having court opera, a modern extension of the jewel-box operas performed in the palaces of Louis XIV and Catherine the Great. Rather than imitate what patrons could see at the Metropolitan in New York, Kelly and Rescigno looked to Europe, and especially to Italy and its singers and artists from the world-renowned opera house in Milan. With their visionary fervor and meticulously crafted productions, Lawrence Kelly and Nicola Rescigno launched "La Scala West," a regional opera company that set the standard for many companies in the decades to come."
Read Less
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Vg jacket. Hardcover book is in very good condition. Clean text, no markings. Tight binding, light general handling wear. Dust jacket looks good as well, light edgewear. Tulsa's best used bookstore. Located on South Mingo Road since 1991. No-hassle return policy if not completely satisfied.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Very good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Very good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Very Good. Size: 9x7x0; Unmarked hardcover in unclipped jacket. Black and white photo illustration with some color. Superficial scratching on front cover.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Gift presentation card tipped in on front free endpaper, else near new, clean, tight and bright condition, with near new bright and crisp dust jacket. Size: 8.75"x11.25", 206pp., profusely illustrated.
