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Behind the Scenes at the Opera
Hardcover
OperaMusic ReferenceTechnical Theater
ISBN13: 9781025296401
Publisher: Tradd Street Press
Published: Feb 14 2026
Pages: 340
Weight: 1.44
Height: 0.81 Width: 6.14 Depth: 9.21
Language: English
Behind the Scenes at the Opera offers an illuminating and intimate look into the complex world of grand opera during the early 20th century. Mary Fitch Watkins takes readers past the velvet curtains and into the bustling life of the opera house, revealing the intricate machinery required to bring timeless masterpieces to the stage. From the grueling rehearsals and the technical marvels of stagecraft to the personal triumphs and tribulations of the performers, Watkins captures the high-stakes atmosphere of a world-class musical institution.
The work provides a detailed exploration of the various departments that collaborate to create a seamless performance-the chorus, the orchestra, the stagehands, and the costume designers. It serves as both a historical record of a golden age in musical performance and a fascinating guide for any enthusiast curious about what happens when the house lights go down. By demystifying the glamour of the stage, Watkins highlights the dedication and artistry of the countless individuals whose work often goes unseen by the audience. Behind the Scenes at the Opera remains a vibrant and essential resource for lovers of music, theater history, and the performing arts.
This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you may see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.
This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.
As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.
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