The Tenth Muse

How Maria Antonia Advanced the Pastoral Opera

April L James

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Paperback

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English

Self Publishing
29 April 2024

Western "classical" music; Classical music (c 1750 to c 1830); Biography: arts & entertainment; European history

Her Highness' music and life are set within the larger sweep of history, showing us a woman whose music gave voice not only to herself, but to other musicians.

If you could travel back in time, which era would you like to explore?

Take a captivating trip to the opulent courts of 18th-century Munich and Dresden, where Maria Antonia Walpurgis Symphorosa was known to be a visionary and extraordinary patron of the arts during her lifetime as ""The Tenth Muse"" for her accomplishments in multiple areas of the arts. April Lynn James brings this nearly-forgotten figure to life in the first book-length biography in English about the Princess who would become Electress of Saxony. Maria Antonia and her first opera, Il trionfo della fedeltà, were celebrated inside and outside the courts of Europe. The pastoral opera was popular with the female nobility, but Maria Antonia took the genre to new heights, finding it an ideal venue in which to explore themes of love, fidelity and female self-presentation.

In this book, you will learn:

Women wrote operas. Maria Antonia made important contributions to the music of her time as both creator and patron. Who Maria Antonia was? Why did she compose her own music? The importance of amateur musicians in society.

Filled with anecdotes, musical illustrations, and quotes from letters by and about Her Highness, this biography is a masterful account of a figure who went beyond the expectations for a woman of her station to become a role model for many. Engagingly written, the story of this fascinating figure brings history to life, taking the reader on a journey to discover Maria Antonia as a composer, poet, woman, and politician. A must-have for your library!

By: April L James
Imprint: Self Publishing
Dimensions: Height: 229mm, Width: 152mm, Spine: 15mm
Weight: 381g
ISBN: 9798891090064
Pages: 284
Publication Date: 29 April 2024
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active

Affectionately known as The PhDiva!!!, Dr. April is a classically trained soprano with a PhD from Harvard best known for her groundbreaking work returning operas composed by women to the world's stages. She survived her Harvard doctoral studies-aka, ""boot camp for book lovers""-by getting away from the computer and engaging in playful activities such as dance, juggling and mime, thereby healing from tendonitis, depression and stress-induced weight gain. She is also mad about Lewis Carroll, ""Alice in Wonderland"", top hats and tea. Her mission is to bring joy to the world through sharing her talents, creativity and knowledge.

Reviews for The Tenth Muse: How Maria Antonia Advanced the Pastoral Opera

""A brilliantly written, well researched documentary-about a fascinating 18th Century Woman-largely unknown in our present time. If you love historical books, then this is a must read! The Tenth Muse takes you on a journey, that is captivating, enlightening and inspirational--all at the same time!"" Pamela 6000 ""A strong thread of music and politics woven through time told from a point of view rarely shared. Fascinating and a good read. Both educational and satisfying, it is the perfect gift for a follower of the art of opera or history.""--David Anderson, Managing Partner, AriaReady LLC ""Dr. James's treatise, contrary to much academic scholarship, is delightfully readable. Beginning with a personal history of how this multifaceted author came to write about Maria Antonia, continuing through biographical and musical analyses and her place in the context of her times, and ending with informative appendices, the book is a must for lovers of early opera.""--Mark Burnstein