Genre Beyond Borders: Reassessing Operetta

This book explores the malleability and resistance of operetta to boundaries, traversing national borders and drawing on features from other genres. It offers fresh understandings of familiar composers and examines works and composers that are less well-known. The chapter on Socialist operetta in Czechoslovakia is particularly revealing.

Format: Hardback
Length: 252 pages
Publication date: 18 December 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This captivating book delves into the realm of operetta, unveiling its remarkable adaptability and defiance of boundaries. These captivating performances have effortlessly crossed national borders, defying superficial definitions or incorporating elements from diverse genres without compromising their essence. The chapters gracefully traverse from nineteenth-century London and Paris to twentieth-century North America, South America, and Europe, culminating in present-day Australia. Some chapters offer fresh perspectives on renowned composers like Johann Strauss or Gilbert and Sullivan, while others explore lesser-known works and composers. The chapter on Socialist operetta in Czechoslovakia, in particular, offers a revelatory insight for individuals from Western Europe or the United States, where operetta is often perceived as a bourgeois phenomenon. As a comprehensive overview of the field's current state, this collection showcases a multitude of potential avenues for future scholars to explore and unravel the rich tapestry of operetta.

Weight: 648g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032184258