Women in American Operas of the 1950s: Undoing Gendered Archetypes

The first feminist analysis of some of the most performed works in the American-opera canon, emphasizing the voices and perspectives of the sopranos who brought these operas to life. Composers and librettists in the 1950s sought to create an opera repertory that would be responsive to American culture and concerns, but women risked becoming opera's inevitable victims. Sopranos like Beverly Sills and Phyllis Curtin worked to resist such undoing, helping to dismantle powerful gendered stereotypes that had often reigned unquestioned in opera houses until then.

Format: Hardback
Length: 238 pages
Publication date: 07 March 2023
Publisher: Boydell & Brewer Ltd

In the 1950s, a significant shift occurred in the realm of American opera as composers and librettists aimed to create a repertoire that would be deeply resonant with American culture and societal concerns. However, they remained bound by the traditional European opera paradigm, which portrayed women as either saintly and pure or sexually corrupt, with no middle ground. This limited the portrayal of women in American opera, risking their perpetuation as victims within the genre.

Yet, the sopranos who took on the roles of these paragons of virtue and their opposites did not always adhere to the scripts as written by their composers and librettists. Instead, they embarked on a journey of rewriting and reinvention, using their performances to challenge and subvert the assigned roles. They drew upon their lived experiences to infuse greater authenticity into their portrayals, thereby dismantling powerful gendered stereotypes that had long been unquestioned in opera houses.

This book, with chapters on renowned operas such as "The Tender Land," "Susannah," "The Ballad of Baby Doe," and "Lizzie Borden," delves into the understudied aspects of the American opera canon. It acknowledges Catherine Clément's famous description of opera as the undoing of women, while also highlighting the efforts of singers like Beverly Sills and Phyllis Curtin, who resisted this undoing years before the official resurgence of the American feminist movement. Through their performances, these sopranos played a pivotal role in dismantling the prevailing gendered stereotypes that had dominated the opera world until then.

Their contributions not only challenged the status quo but also paved the way for a more inclusive and diverse representation of women in opera. The sopranos who embraced their individuality and used their voices to challenge the conventions of the genre helped to break down barriers and promote gender equality in the world of opera. Their legacy continues to inspire and influence the next generation of performers, ensuring that the art form remains a dynamic and evolving medium that reflects the changing societal norms and values.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781648250613