invented in the 16th century, but remained popular for centuries afterward. The Golden Age in particular experienced an impressive growth, with hundreds of collections in various formats, prices and designs. The Dutch situation was unique in quantity and quality. Nowhere in Europe were songbooks produced and purchased with so much energy and enthusiasm. Singing through life is devoted to this fascinating cultural-historical phenomenon. The book elaborates on the design and content of the songbooks, the relationship between newly composed and existing music, the influence of publishers and printers, the connections between song culture and theatre, the popularity of amorous songbooks with youth, and religious resistance to the compelling influence of music. Thematic chapters alternate with twelve short interludes about separate songbooks, which show the great diversity and originality of the genre. Surprising illustrations emphasize how integrated the songbooks were in daily life. Songbooks, paintings and prints are a tangible reminder of our lively seventeenth-century song culture. Young and old, poor and rich: everyone sang, from the cradle to the grave. |