HISTORY
OF
T H E O P E R A,

from its Origin in Italy to the present Time.

WITH ANECDOTES
OF THE MOST CELEBRATED COMPOSERS AND VOCALISTS OF EUROPE.
BY
SUTHERLAND EDWARDS,
AUTHOR OF "RUSSIANS AT HOME," ETC.

"QUIS TAM DULCIS SONUS QUI MEAS COMPLET AURES?"
"WHAT IS ALL THIS NOISE ABOUT?"

VOL. I.
LONDON:
WM. H. ALLEN & CO., 13, WATERLOO PLACE.
——
1862.

[The right of translation and reproduction is reserved.]

LONDON: LEWIS AND SON, PRINTERS, SWAN BUILDINGS, (49) MOORGATE STREET.

CONTENTS.

[CHAPTER I.]
PAGE
Preface, Prelude, Prologue, Introduction, Overture, &c.—TheOrigin of the Opera in Italy, and its introduction into Germany.—ItsHistory in Europe; Division of the subject	[1]
[CHAPTER II.]
Introduction of the Opera into France and England	[12]
[CHAPTER III.]
On the Nature of the Opera, and its Merits as compared withother forms of the Drama	[36]
[CHAPTER IV.]
Introduction and progress of the Ballet	[70]
[CHAPTER V.]
Introduction of the Italian Opera into England	[104]
[CHAPTER VI.]
The Italian Opera under Handel	[140]
[CHAPTER VII.]
General view of the Opera in Europe in the Eighteenth Century,until the appearance of Gluck	[172]
[CHAPTER VIII.]
French Opera from Lulli to the Death of Rameau	[217]
[CHAPTER IX.]
Rousseau as a Critic and as a Composer of Music	[238]
[CHAPTER X.]
Gluck and Piccinni in Paris	[267]
[Index to Both Volumes]