Mozart's Operas and National Politics: Canon Formation in Prague from 1791 to the Present

This book explores the reception of Mozart's operas in Prague between 1791 and the present, revealing the profound influence of politics on the construction of the Western musical canon. It traces the links between performances and strategies used to construct modern Czech and German identities, focusing on Czech and German adaptations, operatic criticism, historical interpretations, and cultural activism.

Format: Hardback
Length: 306 pages
Publication date: 31 August 2023
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

This book delves into a comprehensive exploration of Mozart's reception in Prague, spanning from 1791 to the present. It serves as both an in-depth study of Mozart criticism and performance practice in the city, as well as a historical account of how eighteenth-century opera was appropriated by later political movements and social groups. By examining the ways in which Mozart's operas were received in Prague, the book reveals the profound influence of politics on the construction of the Western musical canon.

Tracing the connections between performances of Mozart's operas and the strategies employed by Bohemian musicians, critics, directors, musicologists, and politicians to shape modern Czech and German identities, Nedbal offers a unique perspective on the history of canonization. The book explores the canonization process from the viewpoint of a city that has often been regarded as peripheral to mainstream Western music history.

Individual chapters delve into various aspects of Mozart's reception in Prague. They examine Czech and German adaptations of Mozart's operas for the city's theaters, operatic criticism published in Prague's Czech and German journals, the work of Bohemian historians who interpreted Mozart, and the efforts of cultural activists to construct monuments in recognition of the composer.

Through its detailed analysis, this book provides a rich and nuanced understanding of Mozart's reception in Prague, shedding light on the complex interplay between music, politics, and cultural identity. It serves as a valuable resource for scholars, musicians, and anyone interested in the history and cultural significance of Mozart's operas.

Weight: 710g
Dimension: 177 x 253 x 25 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781009257596