Showing results by author "RIchard Fleischman" in All Categories

“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. ...

Some truths are spoken in silence. Some love endures without a name. The Master of Dunlowe Abbey A gothic novel of longing and ruin. Perched above the windswept cliffs of North Devon, Dunlowe Abbey looms over a landscape shaped by memory, silence, and the unceasing voice of the sea. Into this solitude arrives Elias Hart, a reserved young tutor burdened by a past he thought he had left behind. Hired to educate the son of Alaric Fielding, master of the remote estate, Elias finds himself increasingly drawn to the man whose presence shadows every corner of the house. As concealed letters ...

In the Shadow of Haymarket: A Story of Love and Defiance by Richard Fleischman A groundbreaking, heartrending novel that speaks as urgently to our present as it does to the past. In an age ruled by propriety and repression—where love is criminalized and silence is survival—In the Shadow of Haymarket dares to tell the story of a forbidden love that refuses to die. Set against the stark realities of Regency and early Victorian England—a time of social rigidity, moral panic, and legal persecution—this powerful historical novel follows William, a young man imprisoned for the crime of ...

Step into the world of intrigue, passion, and scandal with Unmasking the Masters: The Scandalous Lives of Classical Composers. This captivating journey reveals the hidden, tumultuous lives of the greatest composers in history—where genius meets controversy, and every note tells a story of betrayal, obsession, and forbidden love. From Mozart’s reckless behavior to Beethoven’s tortured relationships, this book unveils the shocking secrets behind the music we hold dear. Discover the scandalous affairs, bitter rivalries, and dramatic breakdowns that often shaped the masterpieces we revere...

The Forgotten Operas of Black Composers unveils a rich, overlooked chapter of musical history, spotlighting the operatic works of Black composers from the 19th century to the present day. From Harry Lawrence Freeman’s grand Wagnerian visions to Anthony Davis’s Pulitzer-winning dramas, these composers have crafted operas of immense depth, innovation, and cultural significance—yet their contributions remain largely absent from the mainstream operatic canon. Through vivid profiles, historical context, and musical analysis, this book celebrates the resilience and brilliance of artists ...

The Lost Symphonies: Mysterious Deaths and Vanished Manuscripts Uncover the haunting stories behind classical music’s greatest unfinished works and lost masterpieces in The Lost Symphonies: Mysterious Deaths and Vanished Manuscripts. In this captivating volume, Richard Fleischman guides readers into the shadows of the musical canon—where vanished manuscripts, interrupted compositions, and untimely deaths have left behind tantalizing mysteries. Was there a lost symphony by Mozart? What became of Beethoven’s rumored Tenth? Why did Tchaikovsky abandon his final operas, and how close did ...

What remains when the voice is silenced, but the heart still longs to speak? Letters from the Margins of Grace gathers the lost voices of the nineteenth century—the women and men who wrote from asylums, prisons, garrets, and forgotten parlors. Some letters were sent and never answered; others were never sent at all. Each bears the quiet imprint of endurance: faith whispered in solitude, forgiveness written without witness, and love preserved against the silence of history. Through these pages, the human spirit speaks across centuries—not in proclamation, but in prayer. In an age that ...

They began as witnesses and became a movement. In Women of Freedom, nineteenth-century women turned faith into reform and reform into rights—redefining conscience as the nation’s truest revolution. Women of Freedom: Pioneers of Conscience in 19th-Century America How Nineteenth-Century Women Turned Faith into Reform and Reform into Rights They began as witnesses and became a movement. From the meetinghouses of Philadelphia to the lecture halls of Chicago, Women of Freedom traces how faith, education, and moral courage reshaped the conscience of a nation. Through vivid portraits of ...

The Voice in Concert: Masterpieces of Orchestral and Chamber Music with Voice By Richard Fleischman From the grandeur of Bach’s sacred cantatas to the searing modernism of Britten and Bernstein, The Voice in Concert traces the extraordinary legacy of vocal-symphonic and chamber music over three centuries. Blending rigorous scholarship with lyrical insight, acclaimed music historian Richard Fleischman guides readers through the masterpieces that have defined and redefined the union of voice and instruments—from Vivaldi’s sacred motets and Bach's Passions to Mahler’s orchestral song ...

“𝐅𝐢𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐞, 𝐅𝐚𝐛𝐮𝐥𝐨𝐮𝐬, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐎𝐧 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐃𝐫𝐚𝐠 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐧 𝐁𝐫𝐨𝐚𝐝𝐰𝐚𝐲” 𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐃𝐫𝐚𝐠 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐓𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐁𝐫𝐨𝐚𝐝𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐛𝐲 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐦” by RIchard Fleischman Get ready for a spectacular ride through the dazzling, diva-filled world of drag and Broadway! From the sultry ballrooms of the Harlem Renaissance to the glittering lights of the Great White Way, ...

Dive into the enchanting world of opera where musical mastery meets literary brilliance! In "From Page to Stage: The Literature Behind Great Operas," seasoned violist and longtime principal player of the Santa Fe Opera Orchestra, Richard Fleischman takes readers on an illuminating journey through the rich tapestry of stories that have inspired some of the most beloved operatic works in history. Drawing on decades of experience performing works by iconic composers like Mozart, Verdi, and Puccini, as well as witnessing the evolution of new operas—including the Grammy-winning Cold Mountain ...

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 ...

Out in the Spotlight: Broadway Musicals and the LGBTQ+ Community Broadway has always been a stage for transformation—but for the LGBTQ+ community, it’s also been a sanctuary for self-expression, a site of resistance, and a platform for voices too often silenced. Out in the Spotlight traces the evolution of queer representation in musical theater, from subtle subtext and coded characters to the bold, unapologetic storytelling we see today. Written by a lifelong theater lover and accomplished musician, this book offers a passionate, insider’s look at how Broadway has reflected—and ...

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 ...

Revolutionary Requiems: How Music Has Mourned the Great and the Fallen by Richard Fleischman Grief. Protest. Memory. Hope. Music has always been the language of what cannot be said. In Revolutionary Requiems, acclaimed author and music historian Richard Fleischman explores how composers have responded to personal and collective tragedy with works of astonishing power and depth. From ancient chants to modern compositions, this book traces the evolution of the requiem—not just as a form of mourning, but as a voice for resistance, remembrance, and transformation. Inside, you’ll discover: ...

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 Stars uncovers 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 ...