Pierre Bonnard was the leader of a group of post-impressionist painters who called themselves the Nabis; from the Hebrew word meaning lsquo;prophetrsquo;. Bonnard; Vuillard; Roussel and Denis; the most distinguished of the Nabis; revolutionized the spirit of decorative techniques during one of the richest periods in the history of French painting. Influenced by Odilon Redon and Puvis de Chavanne; by popular imagery and Japanese etchings; this post-impressionist group was above all a close circle of friends who shared the same cultural background and interests. An increasing individualism in their art often threatened the grouprsquo;s unity and although tied together by a common philosophy their work clearly diverged. This publication lets us compare and put into perspective the artists within this fascinating group. The works presented in this collection offer a palette of extraordinary poetic expressions: candid in Bonnard; ornamental and mysterious in Vuillard; gently dream-like in Denis; grim and almost bitter in Vallotton; the author shares with us the lives of these artists to the very source of their creative gifts.
#1008234 in eBooks 2016-02-09 2016-02-09File Name: B016V7UG0E
Review
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Rare insightBy doktorleharThis is not your usual book written by an internationally famous opera singer. It is not a memoir. so if yoursquo;re looking for a year-by-year account of Larmorersquo;s career told in her own words. yoursquo;ll be disappointed. (She hints that such a book might be coming!) Instead. this is a series of informal. chatty conversations organized around themes that Larmore has assembled to give advice to younger singers. Not technical advice such as how to use your diaphragm. nor artistic advice on how to interpret Mozart or Rossini. Itrsquo;s advice about how to be prepared mentally for the many challenges involved in reaching for and sustaining an operatic career. Along the way. Larmore gives the reader some insight into her specific background. training. and experiences. but they come as part of the broader mission of coaching younger singers to get in the right mental space for what lies ahead.The book is self-published through Lulu and. sadly. is full of typos and misspellings. That knocks a star off of the rating. But if you can read around those. yoursquo;ll find this to be one of the most honest and openhearted books ever written by an opera singer. Rather than offering up the steel-plated image of a great diva (Scotto). an endless list of performances (Sutherland). or a PR-driven picture of the friendly professional (Fleming). this is a truthful look at a very human individual negotiating a strange. complex world and learning how to stay mostly sane in it. It sometimes isnrsquo;t prettyndash;a sense of the stresses involved is definitely therendash;but you also get a sense of the truth behind this singerrsquo;s career and why she perseveres. If yoursquo;ve ever wondered what goes on in a major singerrsquo;s head. this book gives insight into that.Irsquo;ve always admired Larmore. She came to prominence in the age of the marketable mezzo (Bartoli. Von Otter. Graham. Kasarova. etc.). but shersquo;s a very individual artist who stands apart. This book only added to my appreciation of her.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. A Look into Another WorldBy NBReaderJennifer Larmore took me on a fascinating tour of the opera world. both in the United States and in Europe. Im not a singer. but found this book compelling; Ill never view opera in the same way again. The life is not all glamour and the author gives the reader a clear picture of the triumphs and the low points of a singers career. Thank you. Ms. Larmore!2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. A terrific book outlining behind the scenes stories rarely heard outside ...By OperamanA terrific book outlining behind the scenes stories rarely heard outside of opera insider circles. Jennifer is a great singer and a phenomenal artist and outlines specific stories involving colleagues. musicians. backstage crisis. agents. opera power brokers. etc!!!!!!! Never gossipy but always straightforward and sometimes even humorous. Albeit. I am a fan of many years. I was impressed with her candor. compassion and love for the art form she has served and excelled in for these many years...
