Henry Edward Krehbiel
Henry Edward Krehbiel was an American music critic and musicologist who was the chief music critic of The New York Tribune for more than forty years. Along with his contemporaries Richard Aldrich, Henry Theophilus Finck, W.J. Henderson and James Huneker, Krehbiel is considered part of the 'Old Guard', a group of leading New York–based music critics who first established a uniquely American school of criticism. A critic with a strong bend towards empiricism, he frequently sought out first hand experiences, accounts and primary sources when writing; drawing his own conclusions rather than looking to what other writers had already written. A meliorist, Krehbiel believed that the role of criticism was largely to support music that uplifted the human spirit and intellect, and that criticism should serve not only as a means of taste making but also as a mode to educate the public. His book How to Listen to Music was widely used as an instructional guide by the music consuming public in the United States during the last years of the 19th century and first several decades of the 20th century.
The Mentor: Makers of Modern Opera, Vol. 1, Num. 47, Serial No. 47
Witness the passions and genius of musical masterminds who redefined opera, their stories a symphony of creativity and innovation.
By Henry Edward Krehbiel
A Book of Operas: Their Histories, Their Plots, and Their Music
Step into the vibrant world of opera, where tales of love, loss, and triumph intertwine with masterful compositions that have resonated across generations.
By Henry Edward Krehbiel
A Second Book of Operas
Explore how composers in prior centuries transformed sacred Biblical stories into captivating operas, skillfully navigating censorship and cultural expectations to bring these powerful narratives to the stage.
By Henry Edward Krehbiel
Studies in the Wagnerian Drama
A 19th century author dissects a composer's operas showing how music and drama combine to build a new art form.
By Henry Edward Krehbiel
Chapters of Opera Being historical and critical observations and records concerning the lyric drama in New York from its earliest days down to the present time
Journey through New York's vibrant past as opera blossoms from a struggling newcomer to a cultural phenomenon, shaped by passionate artists, demanding audiences, and the ever-changing city itself.
By Henry Edward Krehbiel
How to Listen to Music, 7th ed. Hints and Suggestions to Untaught Lovers of the Art
Unlock the secrets within symphonies, transforming passive enjoyment into an active, intellectual appreciation of musical masterpieces.
By Henry Edward Krehbiel