Opera, Tragedy, and Neighbouring Forms from Corneille to Calzabigi

“Blair Hoxby has given us a wonderful panorama of the myriad dramatic and lyric forms that make up the universe of tragedy in European early modernity. The substantial introduction gives a wide-ranging historical and theoretical overview of regular tragedy, tragédie lyrique, pastoral, opera, ballet, machine plays, and other forms frequently neglected in courses and surveys of drama. The ten focused chapters that follow, written by recognized experts, illuminate specific cases, thematics, and genres. This is one of the most important books on early drama in several decades.” John D. Lyons, Commonwealth Professor Emeritus, University of Virginia

“Assembling an international host of distinguished experts and introduced with a masterful overview by Blair Hoxby, Opera, Tragedy, and Neighbouring Forms from Corneille to Calzabigi lures the reader with a stunningly wide panorama embracing the complex interrelations between performance practices and aesthetic ideals in the transnational caldron of baroque, neoclassical, and Enlightenment theatre. It will prove required reading for all those interested in early modern European cultural history and the dialogue of the arts.” Larry F. Norman, Frank L. Sulzberger Distinguished Service Professor of Romance Languages and Literatures and Theater and Performance Studies, University of Chicago