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Nero in Opera

Librettos as Transformations of Ancient Sources
  • Gesine Manuwald
Language: English
Published/Copyright: 2013
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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.

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Publishing information
Pages and Images/Illustrations in book
eBook published on:
May 28, 2013
eBook ISBN:
9783110317510
Hardcover published on:
May 21, 2013
Hardcover ISBN:
9783110317138
Pages and Images/Illustrations in book
Front matter:
8
Main content:
410
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