Author Description

The Closely Related Genres Of Operetta And Musical Theatre Are Often Dismissed As Trivial, Shallow, And Essentially Secular. This Book Challenges These Judgements And Seeks To Show That There Have Been Clear Religious Influences And Spiritual Resonances In Some Of The Best Known And Most Popular Works In Both Genres. It Also Points To The Darker And More Serious Side Of Operetta And Musical Theatre, As Suggested By Its Title 'music Of The Night'. Using Hitherto Largely Neglected Sources, Ian Bradley Explores The Jewish And Catholic Roots Of French Operetta Composers, The Impact Of Franz Lehár's Catholic Faith, The Effect Of Oscar Hammerstein's Early Exposure To Universalism, And The High Church Aesthetic Of Andrew Lloyd-webber. Further Chapters Discuss Arthur Sullivan's Softening And Spiritualising Effect On W.s.gilbert's Lyrics In The Savoy Operas, Stephen Sondheim's Secularism, And Stephen Schwartz As The 'reluctant Pilgrim'-- Provided By Publisher.