Opera

290. Nagler, Alois Maria. Misdirection: Opera Production in the 20th Century.
     Trans. Johanna C. Sahlin. Hamden, Conn.: Archon, 1981. 134p. ISBN 0-208-
     01899-9. ML1700 .N33.
     The original was Malaise in der Opera(Rheinfelden: Schäube, 1980). A sour
     view of Felsenstein, Rennert, Wieland Wagner, and all the moderns but inter-
     laced with facts and perceptive observations. Also useful for summary stage
     histories of the operas examined: Don Giovanni, Così fan tutte, Le nozze di
     Figaro, Fidelio, Der fliegende Holländer, Aida, Contes d’Hoffmann, Der Freis-
     chütz, Carmen, andDer Rosenkavalier.Notes, name index.


291. Marek, George. “The Case of the Murdered Libretto.” OQ1-1 (Spring 1983):
     3–7.
     An entertaining excoriation of modern opera producers, especially Wieland
     Wagner and Walter Felsenstein.

See also Kornick (#2761).

Individual Producers and Directors

292. Beacham, Richard C. Adolphe Appia: Artist and Visionary of the Modern The-
     atre.Rev. ed. Philadelphia: Harwood Academic Publishers, 1994. xv, 307p.
     ISBN 3-7186-5507-1. PN2808 .A6B43.
     First edition,1987, as Adolphe Appia, Theatre Artist. Following a useful pref-
     ace, which presents a survey of the literature on Appia, there is a chronology of
     his works, a biography, and selected writings by the producer. With 51 illustra-
     tions and an expansive index.


293. Volbach, Walther R. Adolphe Appia, Prophet of the Modern Theatre: A Pro-
     file. Middletown, Conn.: Wesleyan U.P., 1968. xvii, 242p. PN2808 .A6 V6.
     A wildly adulatory description of Appia’s productions, especially of the Ring
     in Bayreuth and Tristanin Paris. Writings of his pupils are included. With 48
     illustrations, backnotes, a bibliography of some 300 items, and index.


294. Neef, Sigrid. Das Theater der Ruth Berghaus. Frankfurt am Main: S. Fischer,


295. 223p.
     Not examined.


296. Bing, Rudolf. 5000 Nights at the Opera.New York: Doubleday, 1972. 360p.
     ML429 .B613 A3.
     A plain autobiography, without notes or reference features, giving little infor-
     mation about Bing’s management of the Metropolitan Opera (1951–1972).
     No index. The next entry is more useful.


297. Bing, Rudolf. A Knight at the Opera.New York: Putnam, 1981. 287p. ISBN
     0-399-12653-8. ML429 .B52 A33.
     He really was a knight, having been thus honored in 1971. This review of his
     career at the Met is chatty and smug but it does offer some interesting letters to
     and from Maria Callas and documents revealing Bing’s style in handling stage
     managers, TV people, unions, and, of course, singers. Includes a list of his

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