The leading music periodical of the mid-19th century was Dwight’s: it covered
all sorts of events, including opera performances around the country.
Sablosky’s illuminating commentary puts it all into perspective. Biographical
register of artists, expansive index.See also #434. Other general and specialized histories are described in IOM0707–
0745a.
Opera
Bibliography
- Borroff, Edith. American Operas: A Checklist.Ed. J. Bunker Clark. Detroit
Studies in Music Bibliography, 69. Warren, Mich.: Harmonie Park, 1992. xxiv,
334p. ISBN 0-8999-00631.
A useful list of about 4,000 operas by 2,000 composers. Arranged by com-
poser, then chronologically. Information given: librettist, number of acts, cast-
ing, timing, premiere data (city and date; no theaters named). No title index. - Johnson, H. Earle. Operas on American Subjects.New York: Coleman-Ross,
- 125p. ML128 .O6 J6.
A useful inventory of operas having any subject matter related to North or
South America, whatever the composer’s nationality. Gives synopses and criti-
cal notices. Also has an interesting list of American and British literary works
that have been adapted as opera libretti. Subject and title indexes.
Histories
- Dizikes, John. Opera in America: A Cultural History.New Haven, Conn.:
Yale U.P., 1993. xi, 611p. ISBN 0-300-05496-3. ML1711 .D6.
A scholarly narrative of operatic activity in the U.S., covering from 1735.
Treats all cities, conductors, singers, audiences, and buildings. Backnotes and
expansive index, no bibliography. - Lahee, Henry Charles. Grand Opera in America.Boston: L. C. Page, 1902.
348p. Reprint, New York: AMS, 1973. ML1711 .L18.
A useful historical survey, considering artists and performances. Stresses the
influences of England, Italy, and Germany. Indexed. - Mates, Julian. The American Musical Stage before 1800.New Brunswick,
N.J.: Rutgers U.P., 1962. ix, 331p. ML1711 .M4.
A scholarly history of theaters, orchestras, audiences, companies, artists,
works, and criticism, with 67 pages of notes and 14 pages of bibliography.
Mates uncovered a musical stage heritage in the 18th century that other writ-
ers had ignored. It was not The Black Crook(1866) but The Archers(1796)
that should be recognized as “the first extant musical performed in America
and written by Americans.” Name and topic index. - Mattfeld, Julius. A Handbook of American Operatic Premieres, 1731–1962.
Detroit Studies in Music Bibliography, 5. Detroit: Information Service, 1963.
142p. ML128 .O4 M3.
United States 509