Music on the Shakespearian Stage

A lively historical introduction to the use of music in early modern drama, first published in 1913.

George Herbert Cowling (Author)

9781108004381, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 20 July 2009

152 pages, 11 b/w illus.
22.9 x 15.2 x 0.9 cm, 0.23 kg

George H. Cowling (1881–1946), Lecturer in English at the University of Leeds and subsequently Professor of English at Melbourne, wrote this study as his dissertation, inspired by his own love of music. He shows what kinds of music were used on the Elizabethan stage, and explains where in the theatre, at which point during the plays and with which instruments and personnel the music was performed. He also assesses what both songs and incidental music contributed to the meaning and the performance of Shakespeare, going back to examine the roots of dramatic music in the use of religious music in the medieval Mystery plays. He offers a lively and approachable introduction to the subject that provides a way into the field of early modern music in the theatre, and a foundation for more detailed critical work.

Introduction
1. Music in pre-Shakespearian drama
2. An Elizabethan stage and its music
3. Musical instruments and their uses
4. Incidental music
5. Musicians, singers and songs
6. Elizabethan music, and its share in the drama
7. Some literary allusions to music in Elizabethan plays
Bibliography
Appendix
Index.

Subject Areas: Shakespeare studies & criticism [DSGS]