Showing results by author "Richard Fleischman" in All Categories

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, ...

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 ...

The Lavender Legacy of MGM Musicals: How Hollywood’s Brightest Stars Lit the Way for Queer Audiences By Richard Fleischman Step behind the velvet curtain and discover the hidden world beneath the glittering surface of Hollywood’s golden age. From The Wizard of Oz to Singin’ in the Rain, the lavish musicals of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer defined an era of spectacle, song, and stardom. But for generations of queer viewers, these films offered far more than escapist fantasy—they offered coded messages, forbidden longings, and a lifeline to a world where self-expression could shimmer beneath ...

Forgotten Scores: Broadway's Lesser-Known Creators by Richard Fleischman Tired of reading the same books about Rodgers & Hammerstein, Sondheim, and the usual Broadway legends? Unheard Voices is for the true Broadway superfan who craves something different—something deeper. Richard Fleischman’s meticulously researched collection of 120 essays takes you on a thrilling journey through the forgotten, the overlooked, and the lost creators of Broadway. This is not a book about the names you already know—this is about the composers and lyricists whose works shaped the Broadway we love, but ...

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 ...

“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, ...

Silenced on Stage The Censorship and Banning of Opera, Vaudeville, and Broadway Musicals from Shakespeare to Hamilton From the raucous riots over Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring to the fierce backlash against The Book of Mormon, Silenced on Stage takes you on a whirlwind journey through the fascinating history of censorship in theatre and music. In this compelling exploration, Richard Fleischman dives deep into the clashes between powerful authorities and the bold artists who have pushed boundaries and challenged the status quo. Whether it’s religious protests against rock operas, political...

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 ...

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,...

“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. ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...