These translations by Wood and Sadler have permanent value. A century of French opera is revealed in its own words, as it looked and worked and sounded at the time. With this expanded and illustrated edition we feel even closer to the achievements of Lully, Rameau and their contemporaries.
David Charlton, Royal Holloway, University of London, UK
Reviews of the first edition
'A thoroughly useful and entertaining book...Anyone interested in the subject will find this valuable not only for the breadth of opinion that it encompasses but as a way into the contemporary source-material...' Early Music Review
'French Baroque Opera is worth every penny of its asking price....this delightful, and genuinely educative, book.' The Musical Times, Spring 2001.
'While the editorial commentary is clearly designed for general readers and admirably addresses their needs, specialists too will enjoy mining this source for precious nuggets. ... (The editors') translations are sensitive and accurate, successfully capturing the spirit of the original French and favouring smooth idiomatic English over literal rendition of every word....In short, the book is largely a pleasure to navigate.' Early Music
'Compulsive and compulsory reading!' Music & Letters
'Wood and Sadler have assembled a collection of clear and fresh translations of material that for the most part has never appeared before in English.' ECCB
These translations by Wood and Sadler have permanent value. A century of French opera is revealed in its own words, as it looked and worked and sounded at the time. With this expanded and illustrated edition we feel even closer to the achievements of Lully, Rameau and their contemporaries.
David Charlton, Royal Holloway, University of London, UK
Reviews of the first edition
'A thoroughly useful and entertaining book...Anyone interested in the subject will find this valuable not only for the breadth of opinion that it encompasses but as a way into the contemporary source-material...' Early Music Review
'French Baroque Opera is worth every penny of its asking price....this delightful, and genuinely educative, book.' The Musical Times, Spring 2001.
'While the editorial commentary is clearly designed for general readers and admirably addresses their needs, specialists too will enjoy mining this source for precious nuggets. ... (The editors') translations are sensitive and accurate, successfully capturing the spirit of the original French and favouring smooth idiomatic English over literal rendition of every word....In short, the book is largely a pleasure to navigate.' Early Music
'Compulsive and compulsory reading!' Music & Letters
'Wood and Sadler have assembled a collection of clear and fresh translations of material that for the most part has never appeared before in English.' ECCB