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Nikolaus Harnoncourt Anna Mika Johanna Fürstauer - Nikolaus Harnoncourt. Opera, Sensual

The opera and music theater of Nikolaus Harnoncourt, from Monteverdi to Stravinsky: a life in the light of opera.

The art form of opera is more than 400 years old, but it has maged to stay young and fresh thanks to artists such as Nikolaus Harnoncourt and his unfailing endeavor to continuously renew this art form and our understanding of it. His 80th birthday serves as the perfect opportunity to revisit his life in the colorful world of opera. Numerous examples, from Monteverdi’s “L’Orfeo“ and Mozart’s “Figaro“ to Stravinsky’s “The Rake’s Progress“ illustrate how vivid and lively opera can be. Opera is a theater for all senses, not a dusty relic from the past, a hallow traditon or elitist vanity fair. Text, music, drama and an image of the world portrayed on stage all come together in the unique cosmos of opera, with the purpose of reflecting our human nature. And thus opera is a necessity, like all forms of art. This is what Nikolaus Harnoncourt demonstrates once more with great passion, intelligence and conviction in this enthralling book.

Book details

with numerous illustrations
496 pages
format:140 x 220
ISBN: 9783701731541
Release date: 30.10.2009

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  • World rights available
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Authors
Nikolaus Harnoncourt

born in Berlin in 1929, died in 2016, founded his early music ensemble, the Concentus Musicus, in 1953. He received numerous international awards as a conductor, including the Polar Music Prize and the Erasmus Prize.

Anna Mika

studied voice in Salzburg. She works as voice trainer and music journalist.

Johanna Fürstauer

born in 1931, died in 2018, studied German and English language and literature as well as performance of old music. She is a writer, editor and translator of numerous cultural-historic texts and books on classical music.

Press

Amazing passion Jürgen Kesting, FAZ

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