The Nurse in History and Opera: From Servant to Sister
English
By (author): Judith Barger
From Scarabea, Artusas old nurse in Francesco Mannellis La Maga Fuminata (1638 Venice) through the Canadian nursing sisters in Stephanie Martins Llandovery Castle (2018 Toronto), over one hundred nurse characters appear in opera roles ranging from silent cast extra to principal singer. The Nurse in History and Opera: From Servant to Sister explores that role over the span of operas existence.
Judith Barger examines the nurse character in opera within the sociohistorical context of her real-life counterparts off stage; the progression of the nurse from servant to sister, both inside and outside the opera house, is a commentary on how society has viewed its women. The book then discusses textual and musical interactions between operas nurses and other characters with attention to what the nurses role contributes to opera in six categories identified as common to operas nurses Comic, Former, Knowledgeable, Motherly, Scheming, and Specialized.
When viewed through the lens of social history, operas nurse characters merit attention for the glimpse that they offer of a unique musical and dramatic journey from servant to sister, and for the commentary that they offer on womens perceived place and status not only on the opera stage, but in society as well.
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