Mostrando resultados por autor "Richard Fleischman" en Todas las categorías

The Castrati: Their Lives, Their Music, Their Legacy in Opera’s Golden Age (Rediscovering Classical Music) For over two centuries, they were the superstars of the opera world—revered, envied, and worshipped like demigods. With voices that defied nature, soaring effortlessly from haunting whispers to dazzling virtuosity, the castrati became the most celebrated and controversial figures in music history. Yet today, their names are barely remembered, their once-glorious voices lost to time. In The Castrati, renowned performer and music historian RIchard Fleischman pulls back the curtain on...

A killer lurks in the shadows of San Francisco’s glittering opera scene, and Billy and Ben must risk everything to stop them. In the foggy streets of 1901 San Francisco, journalist Ben Hirsch and his florist partner Billy McGee are thrust into a world of betrayal, ambition, and murder when a celebrated singer is killed during an opera performance. As whispers of danger swirl among the city’s elite, the duo uncovers deadly secrets some would do anything to keep hidden. From opulent opera houses to shadowy back alleys, Ben and Billy must navigate a city where the powerful rule and justice...

In Revolutionary Requiems, renowned author and music scholar Richard Fleischman takes readers on an extraordinary journey through the hauntingly beautiful and profoundly moving history of requiem music. This monumental work explores how composers from Mozart to the present day have used the requiem mass as a powerful tool to memorialize the dead, reflect on grief, and navigate the complex relationship between life, death, and the divine. From the iconic Requiem of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart to the modern, avant-garde works of composers like Britten, Penderecki, and Schnittke, this book delves ...

The Magic of Mozart: Understanding the Musical Genius of an Era By Richard Fleischman If you’ve ever been moved by the music of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart—whether in a concert hall, on a film soundtrack, or in a quiet moment at home—this book is for you. The Magic of Mozart is not an academic treatise or a textbook. It’s an invitation: a warm, engaging journey through the life and music of one of history’s most beloved composers, written for anyone who has felt the emotional pull of Mozart’s melodies and wants to understand more. Author and music educator Richard Fleischman brings ...

From Chant to Choir: Sacred Music in Religion and World Culture In From Chant to Choir, explore the profound power of music as it transcends time, cultures, and spiritual traditions. This captivating journey delves into the sacred sounds that have shaped religious practices across the globe—from the ancient rhythms of indigenous chants to the harmonies of modern worship. Discover how music has been used not only as a tool for devotion and connection to the divine but also as a source of healing, resistance, and transformation. With a focus on the rich and diverse traditions of Hinduism, ...

Aria by Aria is an illuminating journey through the history and evolution of the operatic voice, tracing the monumental changes in vocal technique, style, and artistic expression from the early days of opera to the modern era. Spanning centuries of operatic history, this compelling book delves deep into the legendary voices that shaped opera as we know it today, and the fascinating transformations that have defined each musical period. From the Baroque period, when singers like Farinelli and Senesino reigned supreme, to the Golden Age of Bel Canto with icons such as Maria Malibran and ...

The Great Depression and Broadway: Finding Light in the Darkest Hours By Richard Fleischman Step into the heart of Broadway during one of the most challenging eras in American history. In The Great Depression and Broadway: Finding Light in the Darkest Hours, Richard Fleischman takes you on an unforgettable journey through the iconic musicals that lifted the spirits of a nation struggling to survive. From the glitzy lights of Radio City Music Hall to the stage of the Great White Way, Broadway became a sanctuary of optimism, providing both a temporary escape and a lasting sense of hope. This ...

Discover the thrilling, often shocking stories of opera’s greatest forbidden works in The Forbidden Operas: Banned, Lost, and Forgotten Works from the Opera World. Journey through the world of classical music where composers, driven by vision and passion, pushed the boundaries of their time, only to have their masterpieces censored, suppressed, or lost to history. Why were these operas banned? How did politics, power, and societal norms influence what was allowed on stage? From the suppression of Mozart’s secret Masonic symbols to the fiery revolution in Verdi’s Un Ballo in Maschera, ...

THE FORGOTTEN COMPOSERS: Musical Geniuses Who Disappeared from History is a captivating exploration of the overlooked figures who shaped the classical music landscape. From revolutionary symphonic innovators to pioneering women and artists silenced by political oppression, this book highlights the composers whose works once dazzled audiences but have since faded into obscurity. Through compelling narratives and in-depth profiles, the book uncovers the stories of these forgotten geniuses, from Ruth Crawford Seeger’s avant-garde vision to Mieczysław Weinberg’s bold symphonies, and from ...

From the grand concert halls of Europe to the political battlegrounds of the world stage, The Politics of Conducting explores how conductors have wielded power far beyond the podium. This gripping and insightful book examines the intersection of music, politics, and influence, revealing how legendary maestros—from Wagner’s nationalistic fervor to Bernstein’s Cold War diplomacy—have shaped history. Through compelling narratives and deep analysis, Richard Fleischman uncovers the ethical dilemmas, cultural leadership, and political entanglements of figures like Toscanini, Furtwängler,...

Step behind the curtain of opera’s most scandalous moments in this captivating exploration of drama, betrayal, and passion. From diva meltdowns to composers’ dark secrets, Opera’s Most Outrageous Moments unveils the untold stories that have shaped the art form’s legacy. Discover the shocking backstage drama, the feuds that erupted into public spectacles, and the real-life chaos that often rivaled the intensity of the performances themselves. With sharp wit and unforgettable tales, this book takes you on a thrilling journey through opera’s wildest stories, from fatal onstage ...

For every celebrated diva and legendary tenor whose names echo through history, there are countless opera singers whose voices once dazzled audiences but have since faded into obscurity. Lost Arias: Rediscovering Forgotten Opera Starsuncovers the lives, triumphs, and tragedies of these artists—singers who captivated the world before vanishing from public memory. From the breathtaking virtuosity of 18th-century castrati to the emotional intensity of 19th-century prima donnas and the electrifying performances of 20th-century sopranos and baritones, this book spans over three centuries of ...

The Mad Genius of Classical Music: Mental Health and the Creative Minds of Composers offers a compelling exploration into the lives of some of history’s most celebrated classical composers and the mental health struggles that profoundly shaped their music. This thought-provoking book takes a deep dive into the personal lives and psychological struggles of composers like Beethoven, Chopin, Tchaikovsky, Schumann, and many others. It explores how their battles with mental illness—from depression and anxiety to bipolar disorder, psychosis, and substance abuse—were inextricably tied to ...

The Queer Cabaret Underground: LGBTQ+ Performance Art During Prohibition and Beyond in Europe and America by Richard Fleischman Step into the vibrant world of queer cabaret, a daring art form that illuminated the hidden lives of LGBTQ+ individuals during one of history's most repressive eras. In The Queer Cabaret Underground, Richard Fleischman traces the evolution of LGBTQ+ performance art from the underground venues of Prohibition-era America to the flourishing cabarets of post-war Europe. This book is a must-read for enthusiasts of Broadway, theater, LGBTQ+ history, and cultural studies....

A Grand American Stage: A Comprehensive History of Opera in the United States Opera in America has always been more than music—it is a reflection of the nation’s evolving cultural, social, and artistic identity. A Grand American Stage is the most comprehensive exploration of opera’s journey in the United States, from its earliest days in makeshift theaters to the grandeur of the Metropolitan Opera and the rise of regional companies that bring this art form to every corner of the country. Renowned music historian Richard Fleischman takes readers on an immersive journey through more ...

“Queer Opera: The Hidden History and Impact of LGBTQ+ Voices on the Stage” is an illuminating exploration of opera’s profound and complex relationship with the LGBTQ+ community. From its roots in the baroque era to the modern, inclusive productions of today, this book charts the powerful, often hidden narratives of queer artists who have shaped and been shaped by the world of opera. Written by Richard Fleischman, a life-long lover and practitioner of opera, this book takes readers on a personal and intellectual journey through the often-overlooked history of LGBTQ+ figures in opera. ...

Reel to Real: How Beloved Movies Become Broadway Magic 🎭 From Silver Screen to Center Stage—The Untold Story of Film-to-Musical Adaptations What makes The Lion King soar on stage? Why did Beetlejuice charm theatregoers while Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark collapsed under its own spectacle? In Reel to Real, go behind the curtain of Broadway’s most thrilling transformations—from cult comedies to Disney blockbusters—and discover how beloved films become unforgettable stage musicals. Whether you’re a musical theater fan, performer, student, or simply curious about the alchemy of ...