Throughout the nineteenth century; people heard more music in the theatremdash;accompanying popular dramas such as Frankenstein; Oliver Twist; Uncle Tomrsquo;s Cabin; Lady Audleyrsquo;s Secret; The Corsican Brothers; The Three Musketeers; as well as historical romances by Shakespeare and Schillermdash;than they did in almost any other area of their lives. But unlike film music; theatrical music has received very little attention from scholars and so it has been largely lost to us. In this groundbreaking study; Michael V. Pisani goes in search of these abandoned sounds.Mining old manuscripts and newspapers; he finds that starting in the 1790s; theatrical managers in Britain and the United States began to rely on music to play an interpretive role in melodramatic productions. During the nineteenth century; instrumental musicmdash;in addition to songmdash;was a common feature in the production of stage plays.The music played by instrumental ensembles not only enlivened performances but also served other important functions. Many actors and actresses found that accompanimental music helped them sustain the emotional pitch of a monologue or dialogue sequence. Music also helped audiences to identify the motivations of characters. Playwrights used music to hold together the hybrid elements of melodrama; heighten the build toward sensation; and dignify the tragic pathos of villains and other characters. Music also aided manager-directors by providing cues for lighting and other stage effects. Moreover; in a century of seismic social and economic changes; music could provide a moral compass in an uncertain moral universe.Featuring dozens of musical examples and images of the old theatres; Music for the Melodramatic Theatre charts the progress of the genre from its earliest use in the eighteenth century to the elaborate stage productions of the very early twentieth century.
2016-03-09 2016-03-09File Name: B00KHXBJPA
Review
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. A terrific exploration of haunted sites in southernmost TexasBy RaulMy own fascination with both Texana and the paranormal left me eagerly anticipating this latest release by a local author. Now that Ive finished reading it; I can assuredly say I was not disappointed! Each chapter describes a specific site of 17 from the four counties comprising southernmost TX. The "History" of that spot is covered; followed by the "Legend" of its ghosts (plus the "Lore" in a few instances; mostly tying the reputed apparitions to similar stories from outside the local region). Photos; along with illustrations by Joseacute; Meleacute;ndez; compliment the chapters."Ghosts of the Rio Grande Valley" is excellent reading! I grew up hearing about a few of these hauntings -- notably those of La Lomita Chapel and the Shary Mansion. Ironically; what intrigued me in this volume was not so much the paranormal aspect of each locale; but far more its factual background. I felt privileged to learn how Native Americans; the land grants of Spain; the U.S. Civil War; bandits from Mexico; racial conflicts between Texas Rangers and the local Hispanic community; and local industry and development shaped the story behind each place.Admittedly; while reading the accounts (with seemingly no witnesses left) of Devils Lagoon in Willacy County; my inner skeptic began questioning the veracity of the details. But thats when I had to stop and realize: Any elaborations are what make ghost stories in the first place. The tragic LGBT tale linked to the old asylum in the city of Harlingen took me by surprise! My favorite chapters are those of sites in my home territory of Hidalgo County. I used to visit one of those places when it was still open to the public; back then I had no idea of its own sinister history; as I now got to discover.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Ghost Stories Preserve History and Legends of the Rio Grande Valley in South TexasBy Local Reader!Amazing book! I thrilled to read these lively/deadly retellings of tales from the historic region of deep south Texas. David Bowles has done new research about Cameron; Willacy; Hidalgo; and Starr counties. The photographs from multiple sources and archives; as well as the original artwork by Jose Melendez are beautifully reproduced. The narrative writing style of David Bowles makes stories like "The Revenants of Llano Grande" and "The Woman in White at Roma" and "The Harlingen Insane Asylum" amazing. This book embodies "Haunted America." Read it aloud or to yourself; you will be reading this one over and over again!1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. David Bowles is one of my favorite authors. I had this book on pre-order and ...By BScopatzDavid Bowles is one of my favorite authors. I had this book on pre-order and devoured it as soon as I got the chance to read it. He gives us the history; lore; and legend of 17 ghost stories all set in the RGV area. The history goes as far back as colonial and some pre-colonial periods. The stories bring it all the way to the present day. There are particular ones that I can already tell are going to stick with me.I highly recommend this book; especially for those who enjoy Texas history.
