examined. Footnotes point to the other literature on these operas, all of it in
Swedish.- Layton, Robert. Franz Berwald.London: A. Blond, 1959. 189p. ML410 .B63
L43.
Originally in Swedish (Stockholm, 1956). A popular account of life and
works, with some attention (p.141–147) to the operas. Chronology, bibliogra-
phy, worklist, no index.
Harrison Birtwistle (1934–)
- Hall, Michael. Harrison Birtwistle.London: Robson, 1984. 186p. ISBN 0-
85051-2703. ML410 .B644 H19.
A straightforward biography with worklist, composer’s comments on certain
works, and technical analysis. The operas Punch and Judy (1968), Down by
the Greenwood Side(1969), and Mask of Orpheus(1986) are thoroughly
examined. Bibliography, index. - Samuel, Rhian. “Birtwistle’s Gawain: An Essay and a Diary.” COJ4-2 (July
1992): 163–178.
Technical comments on macrodesign, motives, and specific compositional
devices. Also the diary entries of Samuel himself, who attended rehearsals in
April and May 1991, before the premiere performance on 1 June.
Georges Bizet (1838–1875)
- Dean, Winton. Georges Bizet, His Life and Work.3rd ed. London: Dent,
- x, 306p. ML410 .B62 D28.
First edition, 1948. A popular biography, with program notes on the operas.
Worklist, glossary of persons cited in the text, bibliography of about 100
items, name and title index. - Stricker, Remy. Georges Bizet, 1838–1875. Paris: Gallimard, 1999. 380p.
ISBN 2-07-074803-0. ML410 .B65 S875.
A life story only, without musical analyses. Useful for genesis and extensive
reception account of Carmen. Backnotes, worklist, bibliography of about 100
items, partly expansive index of names.
Individual Works
Carmen
ASO26 (1980), COH (1992), ENOG 13 (1982). Recent literature is sparse. Two
accounts of recent productions make an interesting comparison:
- Koerth, Manfred. Felsentstein inszeniert “Carmen”: Dokumentation.Berlin:
Akademie der Künste der Deutschen Demokratischen Republik, 1973. 127p.
ML410 .B62 K6.
See #299 and #300 for material on Felsenstein, who was director of the
Komische Oper, Berlin. This is an informative account of the entire prepara-
tion for performance.
Georges Bizet 127