A Second Book of Operas

Name: A Second Book of Operas
Author: Henry Edward Krehbiel

The book surveys operatic treatments of Biblical and related sacred subjects, tracing censorship and adaptation, the transplantation of biblical stories into opera and oratorio, and composers' strategies for dramatizing scripture. It examines individual works and composers—Rubinstein's religious operas and ambitions, Saint-Saëns's Samson et Dalila, Goldmark's Queen of Sheba, and others—considering libretti, staging, musical reworking, and the blending of sacred and theatrical conventions. Chapters compare biblical narratives used on stage, discuss oratorio versus opera practices, and analyze how composers recast ancient material through mythic, historic, or local-color lenses, with attention to production, reception, and the challenges of presenting sacred themes in lyric drama.

By Henry Edward Krehbiel

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Music Religion/Spirituality

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About the Author

Henry Edward Krehbiel

Henry Edward Krehbiel was an American music critic and author, renowned for his insightful writings on opera and music appreciation. He contributed significantly to the understanding of the lyric drama, particularly through his works such as "A Book of Operas: Their Histories, Their Plots, and Their Music" and "Chapters of Opera," which provide historical and critical observations of opera in New York. Krehbiel's writings often aimed to educate untaught lovers of music, as seen in his guide "How to Listen to Music." His scholarship and critiques have left a lasting impact on the field of music literature, making him a notable figure in the study of opera.