Michael Costa: England's First Conductor

The Revolution in Musical Performance in England, 1830-1880

Nonfiction, Entertainment, Music, Theory & Criticism, History & Criticism, Reference
Cover of the book Michael Costa: England's First Conductor by John Goulden, Taylor and Francis
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: John Goulden ISBN: 9781317096900
Publisher: Taylor and Francis Publication: April 22, 2016
Imprint: Routledge Language: English
Author: John Goulden
ISBN: 9781317096900
Publisher: Taylor and Francis
Publication: April 22, 2016
Imprint: Routledge
Language: English

Among the major changes that swept through the music industry during the mid-nineteenth century, one that has received little attention is how musical performances were managed and directed. Yet this was arguably the most radical change of all: from a loose control shared between the violin-leader, musical director and maestro al cembalo to a system of tight and unified control under a professional conductor-manager. This process brought with it not only baton conducting in its modern form, but also higher standards of training and discipline, a new orchestral lay-out and a more focused rehearsal regime. The resulting rise in standards of performance was arguably the greatest achievement of English music in the otherwise rather barren mid-Victorian period. The key figure in this process was Michael Costa, who built for himself unprecedented contractual powers and used his awesome personal authority to impose reform on the three main institutions of mid-Victorian music: the opera houses, the Philharmonic and the Sacred Harmonic Society. He was a central figure in the battles between the two rival opera houses, between the Philharmonic and the New Philharmonic, and between the venerable Ancient Concerts and the mass festival events of the Sacred Harmonic Society. Costa’s uniquely powerful position in the operatic, symphonic and choral world and the rapidity with which he was forgotten after his death provide a fascinating insight into the politics and changing aesthetics of the Victorian musical world.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Among the major changes that swept through the music industry during the mid-nineteenth century, one that has received little attention is how musical performances were managed and directed. Yet this was arguably the most radical change of all: from a loose control shared between the violin-leader, musical director and maestro al cembalo to a system of tight and unified control under a professional conductor-manager. This process brought with it not only baton conducting in its modern form, but also higher standards of training and discipline, a new orchestral lay-out and a more focused rehearsal regime. The resulting rise in standards of performance was arguably the greatest achievement of English music in the otherwise rather barren mid-Victorian period. The key figure in this process was Michael Costa, who built for himself unprecedented contractual powers and used his awesome personal authority to impose reform on the three main institutions of mid-Victorian music: the opera houses, the Philharmonic and the Sacred Harmonic Society. He was a central figure in the battles between the two rival opera houses, between the Philharmonic and the New Philharmonic, and between the venerable Ancient Concerts and the mass festival events of the Sacred Harmonic Society. Costa’s uniquely powerful position in the operatic, symphonic and choral world and the rapidity with which he was forgotten after his death provide a fascinating insight into the politics and changing aesthetics of the Victorian musical world.

More books from Taylor and Francis

Cover of the book Sufism and Society by John Goulden
Cover of the book Clinical Applications of Drama Therapy in Child and Adolescent Treatment by John Goulden
Cover of the book The Changing Role of the Interpreter by John Goulden
Cover of the book Root Causes of Terrorism by John Goulden
Cover of the book Educational Judgments (International Library of the Philosophy of Education Volume 9) by John Goulden
Cover of the book Towards the Ethics of a Green Future (Open Access) by John Goulden
Cover of the book The Politics of English Second Language Writing Assessment in Global Contexts by John Goulden
Cover of the book US Foreign Policy Towards the Middle East by John Goulden
Cover of the book Contemporary Issues in Social Media Marketing by John Goulden
Cover of the book Health and Society in Twentieth Century Britain by John Goulden
Cover of the book Understanding Pragmatics by John Goulden
Cover of the book Internet Child Pornography and the Law by John Goulden
Cover of the book Embracing the Witch and the Goddess by John Goulden
Cover of the book Psychoanalysis International, V.1 by John Goulden
Cover of the book Early Modern Dynastic Marriages and Cultural Transfer by John Goulden
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy