Prima Donna: A History"He succeeds admirably. . . sane, serious, committed, invigorating. ' Brian Masters, SPECTATOR 'As compelling readable as it is scholarly. ' Edward Greenfield, GUARDIAN Prima Donnas have always provoked extreme reactions - branded as spoilt and manipulative, hated and resented, even when most admired. But is this the whole story? Rupert Christiansen examines the truth behind the myth, seeking the real women behind the stereotypes. In this new edition of his acclaimed study, he puts three hundred years of these remarkable women - from Pasta and Patti to Norman and Bartoli - into their historical and musical context. He reveals their vital creative contribution to the development of opera and the intense personal struggles that were often the price of success." |
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
American appeared aria artistic audience Bayreuth beautiful became become began born Callas called career castrato century composer concert continued Covent Garden critic donna early effect emotional English expression fact famous feeling finally followed force French gave German give given hear heard husband idea interesting Isolde Italian Italy Jeritza Lady later Lehmann less letter Lind lived Lohengrin London Malibran manager married Melba natural never night Norma notes once opera house Paris Pasta Patti performance perhaps personality played possible prima donna produced recording refused rehearsal remained repertory returned role sang season seems singer singing song soprano sound stage Strauss style success thought tone took tour turned Vincent Sheean vocal voice Wagner wanted woman women wrote York young