The Russian Opera

"The Russian Opera" by Rosa Newmarch is a historical exploration of how Russian national opera came to be. It looks at the journey and progress of opera in Russia, especially focusing on well-known composers like Glinka, Rimsky-Korsakov, and Tchaikovsky. It explains the cultural and musical environment that helped shape these creations, showing the obstacles and inspirations that Russian composers experienced throughout history. The book starts by setting the stage for grasping the complicated history of music in Russia, explaining the natural artistic impulse and authoritative repression, showcasing the early music of the Slavs and how it grew despite pressure from church leaders. Newmarch introduces important people and cultural changes that shaped Russian music, mapping out the path from old-fashioned traditions to the creation of national opera as a real and respected art form.