Music in the present tense : Rossini's Italian operas in their time /

Covering the period from 1810 to 1825, this is the first English-language monograph to examine the cultural background of Gioachino Rossini's early Italian operas. Rossini (1792--1868) was extremely popular for a time, but Senici (Univ. of Rome, La Sapienza, Italy) observes that Rossini's popularity waned with the rise of Verdi, Puccini, et al., who followed in his musical footsteps. It is thus important, Senici argues, to examine Rossini's early output in relation to political and social events of the early 19th century. Central to this are the concepts of modernity, theatricality, repetition, and pleasure. Senici views the operas as existing at critical points during the birth of modern Italy, much as others have examined the works of earlier composers (see, for example, John Butt's Bach's Dialogue with Modernity, 2010). Senici focuses on epochal change rather than on details of Rossini's output, and this makes for a readable study that anyone interested in culture shifts will appreciate. This useful volume complements The Cambridge Companion to Rossini (2004), which Senici edited. Summing Up: Recommended. Researchers and faculty. --Anthony James Adam, Strategic Planning Online