The Baroque Libretto

'The Baroque Libretto reflects the legendary, long-standing collaboration between Domenico Pietropaolo, a world authority on the history of the Italian libretto, and musicologist Mary Ann Parker. Not only does it provide analyses of the literary, musical, and dramatic aspects of the Fisher collection's librettos, but it also sets them in their philosophical, historical, and economic contexts. The Baroque Libretto provides a solid foundation for understanding much about the operatic genre of this period.' -- Don Neville, Don Wright Faculty of Music, University of Western Ontario

The Baroque Libretto catalogues the Baroque Italian operas and oratorios in the Thomas Fisher Library at the University of Toronto and offers an analysis of how the study of libretto can inform the understanding of opera.

The Thomas Fisher Library at the University of Toronto houses a major collection of opera and oratorio librettos associated with performances across Europe. In addition to containing the text of musical dramas, these books incorporate aspects of historical detail and literary history, as well as biographical details of performers. The Baroque Libretto catalogues the Baroque Italian operas and oratorios in the Fisher Library and offers an analysis of how the study of libretto can inform the understanding of opera. The volume also catalogues French and English items from the same period in appendices.
This comprehensive discussion draws on the literary, musical, dramatic, and theatrical aspects of each libretto while also considering its philosophical, historical, social, and economic contexts. The result is a work with appeal for those curious about the operatic genre and contemporary European culture.