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Title details for Handel's Bestiary by Donna Leon - Available

Handel's Bestiary

by Donna Leon
Michael Sowa
ebook
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The New York Times–bestselling author delivers “a real tour de force” celebrating the fauna in Handel’s operas—with original illustrations by Michael Sowa (News—Austria).
 
When acclaimed novelist Donna Leon is not conjuring up tales of crime and corruption in Venice—or appreciating its delicious cuisine—she revels in music. And for Leon, that usually means the work of her favorite composer, George Frideric Handel.
 
Over the years, Leon has noticed that the great musician filled his operas with arias that make reference to animals. Rich in symbolism, the perceived virtues and vices of the lion, bee, nightingale, snake, elephant, and tiger, among others, resonate in his works.
 
Here, Leon draws on her love of Handel and her expertise in medieval bestiaries, illustrated collections of animal stories, to assemble a one of her own—twelve chapters that trace twelve animals through history, mythology, and the Handel arias they inhabit. Each exploration is joined by whimsical original illustrations by German painter Michael Sowa.
 
A fascinating, utterly original book that is “as clever as it is entertaining,” Handel’s Bestiary springs to life with Leon’s knowledge, passion, and wit (Westdeutsche Allgemeine Zeitung—Germany).
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Publisher: Grove Atlantic

Kindle Book

  • Release date: April 5, 2011

OverDrive Read

  • ISBN: 9780802195616
  • Release date: April 5, 2011

EPUB ebook

  • ISBN: 9780802195616
  • File size: 10124 KB
  • Release date: April 5, 2011

Formats

Kindle Book
OverDrive Read
EPUB ebook

subjects

History Music Nonfiction

Languages

English

The New York Times–bestselling author delivers “a real tour de force” celebrating the fauna in Handel’s operas—with original illustrations by Michael Sowa (News—Austria).
 
When acclaimed novelist Donna Leon is not conjuring up tales of crime and corruption in Venice—or appreciating its delicious cuisine—she revels in music. And for Leon, that usually means the work of her favorite composer, George Frideric Handel.
 
Over the years, Leon has noticed that the great musician filled his operas with arias that make reference to animals. Rich in symbolism, the perceived virtues and vices of the lion, bee, nightingale, snake, elephant, and tiger, among others, resonate in his works.
 
Here, Leon draws on her love of Handel and her expertise in medieval bestiaries, illustrated collections of animal stories, to assemble a one of her own—twelve chapters that trace twelve animals through history, mythology, and the Handel arias they inhabit. Each exploration is joined by whimsical original illustrations by German painter Michael Sowa.
 
A fascinating, utterly original book that is “as clever as it is entertaining,” Handel’s Bestiary springs to life with Leon’s knowledge, passion, and wit (Westdeutsche Allgemeine Zeitung—Germany).
Expand title description text
History Music Nonfiction
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