A Second Book of Operas

Henry Edward Krehbiel, among America's most discerning music critics, turns his attention to a fascinating cultural collision: the adaptation of Biblical narratives for the operatic stage. This companion volume to his earlier work explores how composers wrestled with sacred source material, often bending scriptural stories to satisfy censors, appeal to audiences, and serve their own dramatic visions. Krehbiel examines works like Gounod's "Reine de Saba" and Saint-Saëns's "Samson et Dalila," illuminating the negotiations between reverence and theatrical spectacle that defined this genre. His analysis moves beyond simple criticism to trace the evolution of these operas, showing how titles shifted, characters were reconceived, and entire narratives were reframed to navigate the cultural sensitivities of the era. The book stands as both a scholarly guide to specific works and a meditation on the eternal challenge of translating text into music and stage.