- Downes, Edward O. D. “SeccoRecitative in Early Classical Opera Seria
(1720–1780).” JAMS14 (1961): 50–69.
A valuable analysis of recitative that was not accompanied by the orchestra,
stressing the emotional impact of its performance and the harmonic devices
used by Pergolesi and others. Less seccowas used in the reform operas. For
performance practice issues, see Dean (#358). - Algarotti, Francesco. Saggio sopra l’opera in musica. Livorno: M. Coltellini,
1763. English translation, 1768. Reprinted in Strunk,909–922.
First edition, 1755. Algarotti, a Venetian who spent nine years in Berlin assist-
ing Frederick the Great in the translation of opera libretti, expressed negative
views about contemporary Italian opera. He found that composers were bent
on flattering the ears of the audience, “but not at all either to affect the heart or
kindle the imagination.” He took the Gluckian (see #378) view on what
needed reforming.
Material on the Quarrel of the Buffoons is at #2257ff.
90.I vicini di Mozart: Il teatro musicale tra sette e ottocento. Atti del Convegno
Internazionale di Studi...7–9 settembre 1987.Ed. Maria Teresa Muraro and
David Bryant. Studi di musica veneta, 15. Florence: Olschki, 1989. 2v. ISBN
88-222-3685-8. ML170 .V5.
A strong collection of papers from the conference, including three on opera in
v.1 that are entered later in this guide: Rudolph Angermüller on Anfossi’s Il
curioso indiscreto(#459), Mercedes Viale Ferrero on operas given in Turin
and Milan (#2525), and Gian Paolo Minardi on Paër (#1370). V.2 is on “La
farsa musicale veneziana (1750–1810).” The lead article by David Bryant is at
#2579.
91.Opera and the Enlightenment.Ed. Thomas Bauman and Marita Petzoldt
McClymonds. New York: Cambridge U.P., 1995. xii, 317p. ISBN 0-521-
46172-3. ML1720.3 O64.
An important collection of essays by various scholars. These are covered later
in this guide: Gary Tomlinson on pastoral (#2445), Mary Cyr on chorus in
French opera (#351), Winton Dean on Serse” (#995), Julie E. Cumming on
Gluck’s Iphigenia operas (#903), and Richard Taruskin, “From Fairy Tale to
Opera in Four Moves (Not So Simple)” (#1433). The volume has footnotes
and a strong index but no bibliography.- Kelly, Michael. Reminiscences.Ed. Roger Fiske. New York: Oxford U.P.,
1975. xx, 396p. ISBN 0-19255-4174. ML420 .K3 .A202.
Originally published 1826. Kelly was a noted tenor (he sang in the premiere of
Le nozze di Figaro) who performed extensively in London and on the conti-
nent. His memoir offers keen observations on music and singers, theater poli-
tics, and conditions of performance in various European cities. Useful
comments by Fiske, chronology, bibliography, and index.
20 Opera