In Miss Julie; a willful young aristocrat; whose perverse nature has already driven her fianceacute; to break off their engagement; pursues and effectively seduces her fathers valet during the course of a Midsummers Eve celebration. The progress of that seduction and the plays stunning denouement shocked Swedish audiences who first attended the play in 1889.Despite its controversial debut; this now-classic drama; inspired by the new ideas of naturalism and psychology that swept Europe in the late 19th century; helped to shape modern theater; and remains one of the most potent-and most frequently performed-of modern plays. The full text of Miss Julie is reprinted here as translated by Edwin Bjouml;rkman; complete with Strindbergs critical preface to the play; considered by many to be one of the most important manifestos in theater history.
#75152 in eBooks 2012-03-01 2012-02-02File Name: B00A62YHVA
Review
10 of 11 people found the following review helpful. I came to this excellent book by Jouens via a similar one by BostridgeBy LilacI came to this excellent book by Jouens via a similar one by Bostridge. I am fond of both. It is rare that a theme attracts two writers at about the same time; leading to a competition for the title of definitive work on a subject. I can presently not give a clear preference.Both books deal in their independent ways with Schubertrsquo;s Winterreise; a compendium of 24 songs amongst his last; arguably the world finest. They are bleak and austere passages of a wanderer; theatrical and melodious; speaking of lost love. Schubert; the composer who died with 31 in Vienna; considered Winterreise his best work. Susan Jouens is the more poetical one; Bostridgersquo;s the one more speaking of his experience as a singer. Jouens positively re-evaluates the poet Mueller; as of considerable depth; hiding under a veneer of folk simplicity. She is interpreting Muellers various images with a skill born of wide knowledge of the poets other works.I recommend to luxuriate in both books and savor their differences. Rarely does one have opportunity to let oneself be pampered by such a fine competition.20 of 21 people found the following review helpful. The Definitive Guide to Schuberts MasterpieceBy EclecticismSusan Youens follows her excellent analyses of Schuberts lieder -- among the highlights of her work are books on "Die schoene Muellerin" in the Cambridge Music series and "Schuberts Poets and the Making of Lieder" -- with a complete analysis of *the* major song cycle; Winterreise. In this book; which is aimed at the knowledgeable layperson but which will not disappoint specialists in either poetry or musicology; Youens first deconstructs the cycle as a whole; looking at the poet; Wilhelm Mueller; and the sources of his texts; as well as giving a "macro" look at Schuberts setting of it. This first section would have been excellent enough. But then Youens analyzes each song; in both music and poetry. She finds links between the songs; helps guide the narrative; and; on nearly every page; points out features that cant help but inform anyones understanding of this touchstone of Western culture.Youens includes the first page of the score of every song; as well as the German text -- with the occasional changes by Schubert carefully noted and explained -- and the translation into English. Even if you dont speak German; Id highly recommend reading Muellers text while you recall the melody of the song. It really gives an appreciation of the art not just of Schubert but of Mueller as well; who Youens argues is unjustly viewed as a minor German poet these days. Her appreciation of Mueller made a believer out of me.Five stars for this educational; well-written book that gave me a completely new view of a cycle Ive listened to hundreds of times.5 of 6 people found the following review helpful. Everything you wanted to know about Winterreise; but were afraid to ask.By Don J. BravoFor serious classical vocal music lovers. NOT an "intro to" type of book. Ask yourself "How well do I know Winterreise?" If the answer is fairly well; then go and purchase this book.