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The Nurse in History and Opera: From Servant to Sister

Authors :
Judith Barger
Judith Barger
Publication Year :
2024

Abstract

From Scarabea, Artusa's old nurse in Francesco Mannelli's La Maga Fuminata (1638 Venice) through the Canadian nursing sisters in Stephanie Martin's Llandovery Castle (2018 Toronto), over one hundred nurse characters appear in opera roles ranging from silent cast extra to principal singer. The Nurse in History and Opera: From Servant to Sister explores that role over the span of opera's existence.Judith Barger examines the nurse character in opera within the sociohistorical context of her real-life counterparts off stage; the progression of the nurse from servant to sister, both inside and outside the opera house, is a commentary on how society has viewed its women. The book then discusses textual and musical interactions between opera's nurses and other characters with attention to what the nurse's role contributes to opera in six categories identified as common to opera's nurses – Comic, Former, Knowledgeable, Motherly, Scheming, and Specialized.When viewed through the lens of social history, opera's nurse characters merit attention for the glimpse that they offer of a unique musical and dramatic journey from servant to sister, and for the commentary that they offer on women's perceived place and status not only on the opera stage, but in society as well. View the author's website here: Judith Barger | Author, Nurse Historian & Music Scholar

Subjects

Subjects :
Nurses--History
Opera

Details

Language :
English
ISBNs :
9781666957341 and 9781666957358
Database :
eBook Index
Journal :
The Nurse in History and Opera: From Servant to Sister
Publication Type :
eBook
Accession number :
3837119