Tenth Muse: A Historical Study of the Opera Libretto

A critical history of the libretto focusing on the words and their relationship to the music. Beginning with early 17th century and continuing into the 20th century, Smith writes about the composers' lives, works, and collaboration with other composers, using original sources to analyzes the shifting relationships of drama, dance, words, and music. 16 pages of halftone illustrations. Dust jacket has small tears and some soiling. xxii, 420, xx pages. two-toned cloth, dust jacket. 8vo..