The Dramatic Works of George Lillo
Including Silvia
George Lillo author Richard Noble editor James L Steffensen editor
Format:Hardback
Publisher:Oxford University Press
Published:17th Jun '93
Currently unavailable, and unfortunately no date known when it will be back
George Lillo's domestic tragedies provided the impetus for the development of new forms of serious drama during and after the eighteenth century, on the Continent as well as in the English-speaking theatre. This edition makes available for the first time all of the plays known or thought to have been written by the playwright, in reliable old-spelling texts following modern bibliographical principles. Some have not been reprinted since 1810. Even the much-studied London Merchant has not previously been published in an edition that recognizes the errors contained in the first edition and the authorial revisions introduced in early reprints. The introduction to each play treats its sources, histories of publication and reception in the theatre, and textual problems. The apparatus criticus and historical collations provide full bibliographical detail. Commentary notes discuss the author's use or adaptation of sources and furnish information about links among his own plays, topical background, and literary allusions. Steffensen edition makes possible an informed awareness of Lillo's lesser-known plays in a variety of genres, as an enlightening context for further study of these influential domestic dramas.
`The editing by James L. Steffensen is massively thorough on all matters such as stage history and reception, as well as bibliographical issues ... One is grateful for the dedicated textual work that has gone into this edition.' Times Literary Supplement
Dr Steffenson's researches and commentaries take him well beyond the establishment of a `reliable old-spelling' text...Anyone interested in those subjects...will find ample information, documentation, and suggestions for further readings in Dr Steffenson's notes and commentaries, as well as in those of Richard Noble, who is chiefly responsible for Sylvia. * Notes and Queries Dec 94RES New Series, Vol XLVI, no.184 *
There is not much theatrical life left in Lillo, but this skilfully and lovingly edited volume provides him with a splendid funeral. In every way, this is the definitive edition of Lillo's work. Lillo has been fortunate in his editors ... a work of exemplary musical scholarship. The tracing of the sources or the airs, and Noble's commentary on them, will be of interest to readers of any ballad opera, as well as to anyone who hopes to revive one. * Peter Thomson, University of Exeter, British Journal for Eighteenth-century Studies, Vol. 19, part 1 , Spring 1996 *
ISBN: 9780198127147
Dimensions: 197mm x 52mm x 53mm
Weight: 180g
778 pages