1.

Record Nr.

UNINA9910452888103321

Autore

Manuwald Gesine

Titolo

Nero in opera [[electronic resource] ] : librettos as transformations of ancient sources / / Gesine Manuwald

Pubbl/distr/stampa

Berlin ; ; Boston, : De Gruyter, 2013

ISBN

3-11-031751-6

Descrizione fisica

1 online resource (420 p.)

Collana

Transformationen der Antike ; ; 24

Transformationen der Antike, , 1864-5208 ; ; Bd. 24

Disciplina

782.1

Soggetti

Operas

Electronic books.

Lingua di pubblicazione

Inglese

Formato

Materiale a stampa

Livello bibliografico

Monografia

Note generali

Description based upon print version of record.

Nota di bibliografia

Includes bibliographical references.

Nota di contenuto

Frontmatter -- Preface and acknowledgements -- Contents -- 1. Introduction -- 2. Nero in opera -- 3. Nero in pieces of other performative genres -- 4. Conclusions -- Appendices -- Bibliography

Sommario/riassunto

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.