From the 1970s through the early 1990s numerous critics commented on an apparent “rebirth” of American opera. Subsequent scholarship has increasingly sanctioned a consensus view holding up Philip Glass and John Adams as the central figures in this opera resurgence. Although I do not dispute the importance of (post-)minimalism in these decades, my gambit in this dissertation is to reframe the idea of a late twentieth-century operatic renaissance by tracing a long relationship between jazz and the concept of American opera. The jazz genealogy of American opera that I develop in this study is intended not only to draw attention to a body of work that has been largely ignored but also to unfold antinomies of postmodern historical consciousness that were manifest in the operatic resurgence more generally. Although my inquiry extends as far back as the 1920s, this dissertation by no means presents a continuous history of opera from 1924 to 1994, as the subtitle might imply. The weight is squarely placed on the 1970s through the early 1990s. Chapter 1 explores racial dimensions of the concept of “modernity” through a study of Harlem Renaissance composer H. Lawrence Freeman’s never-performed “jazz opera” American Romance (1924-1929). Chapter 2 chronicles the Harlem Opera Society’s abandonment of its former European repertory and subsequent reinvention as the Afro-American Singing Theater/Jazz Opera Ensemble during the late 1960s and 1970s. Chapter 3 tracks the transformation of jazz in the 1980s into an increasingly historicist—or possibly posthistoricist—music through a series of works that I call “jazz-historical operas.” Chapter 4 works through a tension between “actuality” and allegory in Robert Ashley’s television opera trilogy (1978-1994) about American history. The name of Duke Ellington winds through the four chapters as a kind of red thread. “Ellington” functions as a multivalent trope, alternatively signifying hypermodern America, the black cultural tradition, composition, and improvisational “actuality.” In a brief epilogue I identify another figure whose name has somewhat more furtively shadowed my study: Richard Wagner. I suggest that the idea of an “Ellington-Wagner matrix” in American opera both symbolizes a tradition of cultural hybridity and identifies a problematic concerning history and sonic materiality (roughly, the distinction between “event” and “representation”) expounded in the preceding chapters. In some ways, my analysis of the deeply ambiguous status of historicity and modernity in twentieth century American culture will prove consonant with many previous discussions of the topic. But I hope that in certain fundamental respects my study may also be understood as a novel, even interventionist foray into historical theory. Race has scarcely been an overlooked topic in critical inquiry and cultural theory of the last three decades, but it is hard to ignore the Eurocentric—or Euro-American—thrust of much of the canonical discourse on postmodernity and historicity, some of which was surveyed above. My attempts to interpret transformations in historical consciousness through shifting relationships between two culturally and racially supercharged signifiers—“jazz” and “opera”—might be taken as a challenge to this tendency.

Die Habilitationsschrift widmet sich einem Themenfeld, das bisher noch nicht im Blickfeld größerer musikwissenschaftlicher Untersuchungen stand: jenen Anzeigern, die meist am Ende oder Anfang eines Buches zu finden sind, oft wie selbstverständlich genutzt werden und unter Begriffen wie ›Index‹ oder ›Register‹ bekannt sind. Ihr Fokus liegt auf den ersten indexografischen Arbeiten zu Richard Wagners »Gesammelten Schriften und Dichtungen«, die ab den 1870er-Jahren aus dem Bayreuther Kreis heraus entstanden: opulente paratextuelle Nachschlagewerke von Hans von Wolzogen, Carl Friedrich Glasenapp, Heinrich von Stein und Ludwig Schemann, die in ihrem Zusammenhang einen faszinierenden Einblick in den Bayreuther Umgang mit Wagners Schriften erlauben. Neben einer theoretischen Einführung in das Registerformat, insbesondere mit Blick auf das Prinzip der In- und Exklusion von Inhalten, geht es um die Entwicklung eines indexsynoptischen Untersuchungsmodells für Registerarbeiten im Allgemeinen sowie um die Tradition des Registermachens im Bayreuther Kreis im Speziellen, die heute weitgehend unbekannt ist. Dabei lassen sich Spuren bis in die Gegenwart verfolgen.

L'objectiu d'aquesta tesi doctoral és analitzar i valorar les traduccions adaptades a la música de l'obra de Richard Wagner "Die Walküre" al català. La tesi s'ha estructurat partint de les característiques sonores, tant del text original com de les traduccions. Per portar a terme aquest treball a estat necessari realitzar determinats estudis previs. Així doncs, l'estudi de contrast entre el sistema fonològic alemany i el català ens ha permès veure les similituds i les divergències entre la llengua original i la llengua meta. En relació amb les traduccions, hem comprovat que per mantenir el ritme- fidelitat obligatòria tractant-se d'una obra sotmesa a la partitura- la llengua catalana ofereix múltiples recursos lingüístics que permeten la necessària reducció sil·làbica. De totes maneres, en algunes ocasions els traductors han alterat lleugerament el text musical. Per altra part, aquests traductors han aprofitat un gran nombre d'ocasions per reproduir de manera exacta o semblant les sonoritats del text original, arribant fins i tot a crear al·literacions. El fet de que volguessin i aconseguissin reproduir la substància sonora, no va ser un obstacle per descuidar el significat del text. Així doncs, el nostre estudi posa de manifest la qualitat d'unes traduccions que ofereixen una quasi total fidelitat a la sonoritat, al ritme i a la semàntica de l'obra original. / The aim of this PhD thesis is to analyze and to value the translations adapted to the music of Richard Wagner's work "Die Walküre" into Catalan. It has been structured starting from the sound characteristics, from both the original text and also from the translations. To carry out this work certain previous studies were to be necessarily performed. Thus, the contrast study of between the German's and Catalan's phonological systems allowed to see the similarities and differences between the original language and the taget language. As regards the translations, it was verified that in order to support the rhythm- obliged fidelity considering there is music score- the Catalan language offers multiple linguistic resources allowing the necessary syllabic reduction. Occasionally, translators slightly altered music score. These translators, on the other hand, made use of countless occasions to reproduce the sonority of the original text in an exact or similar manner, going so far as to form alliterations. The fact that they were willing and managed to reproduce the sonorous substance, nevertheless, was not an obstacle to neglect the meaning of the text. Thus, this study emphasizes the quality of some translations that offer an almost entire fidelity to the sonority, rhythm and semantics of the original work.

El objeto de la presente tesis doctoral, La recepción de la obra wagneriana en el Madrid decimonónico, es realizar una “historia del efecto”, ordenando cronológicamente las interpretaciones wagnerianas (audiciones en concierto y representaciones de ópera) y los escritos de Richard Wagner (o sobre el compositor) publicados en la prensa diaria y especializada. Aunque existen algunos antecedentes aislados, la documentación parece indicar que el estrepitoso fracaso de Tannhäuser en París (1861) marca el inicio de la recepción “masiva” de la obra del compositor alemán en nuestro país. A partir de ese momento, observamos una fuerte polarización de opiniones ante la figura de Wagner, su pensamiento estético y su idea de Gesamtkunstwerk. En este sentido, se plantea un debate que cuestiona la esencia formal de la ópera, estableciéndose una contraposición de las escuelas nacionales italiana y alemana (belcanto versus wagnerismo). Sin embargo, la influencia del pensamiento krausista hará que esta discusión tenga en España características propias, proponiéndose, como solución, una ópera nacional que aúne lo universal y lo particular, lo tradicional y lo moderno. Asimismo, las controversias entre wagneristas y antiwagneristas son catalizadoras de otras querellas filosóficas, morales e ideológicas presentes a lo largo del periodo de investigación (1861-1893/94). Precisamente, en las conclusiones de esta tesis intentamos poner de relieve la dialéctica ortodoxia / heterodoxia, base de la oposición Parsifal / Nietzsche característica de la España finisecular (misticismo versus egotismo). Este debate se produce en un contexto enormemente sincrético y caracterizado por el denominado “espíritu decadentista”, marcado por el spleen, es decir, el agotamiento del modelo cultural europeo occidental.

Un parcours au coeur des écrits et des témoignages détaillant les divers processus des répétitions orchestrés par les metteurs en scène a permis d'en arriver à situer la pratique de Peter Sellars. La présente étude se base sur l'observation des répétitions de Tristan und Isolde qu'il a mis en scène au printemps 2005 à l'Opéra de Paris. L'analyse de la génétique de ce spectacle s'est effectuée par la tenue détaillée d'un journal de bord ainsi que des entretiens exclusifs avec les principaux créateurs de la production. Dans ce mémoire, il s'agit d'abord de développer les spécificités du parcours de Sellars dans la mise en scène d'opéra ainsi que la résolution des problèmes posés par Tristan et l'inspiration du travail de ses prédécesseurs. Dans un deuxième temps, les collaborations de Sellars issues de relations de longue date sont analysées: celles avec Gérard Mortier, directeur artistique de l'Opéra de Paris (2005-2009), James F. Ingalls, éclairagiste qui l'accompagne depuis trente ans, ainsi qu'avec Bill Viola, vidéaste. Pour terminer, le noyau du mémoire, celui de la direction des chanteurs par Sellars, est présenté à travers diverses méthodes de travail employées. De surcroît, il est question de sa collaboration significative avec le chef d'orchestre Esa-Pekka Salonen et du contexte de la reprise du spectacle. Comme au théâtre, les représentations d'opéra naissent d'un processus de création où les observateurs sont rarement admis, car la nature de leur présence peut perturber le déroulement à caractère intime des répétitions. Dans ce mémoire sont réunis les éléments substantiels du déroulement des répétitions chez Sellars. Son contenu tente de décrire avec le plus d'objectivité et de justesse possible un processus où, bien souvent, les intentions se dissimulent et se manifestent à l'intérieur de sous-entendus et de non-dits. ______________________________________________________________________________ MOTS-CLÉS DE L’AUTEUR : Peter Sellars, Répétitions, Tristan und Isolde, Spectacle vivant, Opéra, Théâtre, Wagner.

Spin systems with low dimensionality and geometrical frustration have attracted interest because of the possible emergence of novel magnetic phases at low temperatures by suppressing conventional magnetic order, and allow for a novel spin-disordered ground state, such as quantum spin liquid and glass without any apparent structural disorder. In this thesis, we have discussed magnetic and dielectric measurements on the quasi-two-dimensional triangular antiferromagnet NiGa2S3.85, in order to investigate its magnetic state and dielectric property at low temperatures. In the measurement of susceptibility In the measurement of susceptibility £q(T), we found that the freezing temperature is near 6 K. This suggests that the sample with the sulfur deficiency should be close to the stoichiometric NiGa2S3.85. Under 7 T magnetic filed ZFC(zero-field-cooling) and FC(field-cooling) still bifurcate indicating more magnetic order state than spin-liquid. Temperature-dependent dielectric measurement shows an interesting colossal enhancement of dielectric constant with frequency dispersion and is ascribed to the interfacial polarization (termed as Maxwell-Wagner relaxation) at the interface between adjacent layers. Temperature-dependent dielectric measurement under applied magnetic field (up to 9 T) shows negligible magnetodielectric behavior because of the sample is not magneto resistive.

Dissertation--Mainz--Johannes-Gutenberg-Universität, 2006. / Contient le texte en danois de Hans Christian Andersen, ainsi que sa traduction allemande : "Den standhaftige Tinsoldat = Der standhafte Zinnsoldat" Bibliogr. p. 202-209.

Reproduction de : Thèse de doctorat : Littérature française : Le Mans : 2005. / Titre provenant de l'écran-titre. Bibliogr. p. 393-401.

This essay is an attempt to analyze, understand and reconstruct the Swedish Ballet's last work Relâche (1924) based on Richard Wagner's term Gesamtkunstwerk. Gesamtkunstverk in this case above allmeans the cross-border collaboration of artists and art forms in between, which leads according to Wagnerto a whole which is presented here as The Gesamtkunstwerk. The purpose of this essay is to take part in a work that literally no longer exist, and to try to understand itscultural-historical value. All that remains from the Swedish Ballet, is everything but the dance itself. Still we can take part of the Ballet through the artistic synthesis through innumerable collaborations shown in the sets, costumes, posters and musical compositions. I will in the analysis based on four points, try to find the tones indicating that the work is, on the basis of Wagner's definition, a Gesamtkunstwerk. The essay is also an attempt to show the innovation of this Company and to provide redress to which, according to me, is too forgotten in Swedish historiography. The thesis shows both the Swedish Ballet's historical background which includes previous works built by the same principles of collaboration presented. In this section I will also address something, according to me, important; The Swedish homophobia, mainly in the tabloids during the period in which the essay deals with, and the consequences for the company in question. Then I will analyze Relâche on the basis of the four theses, which, according to my investigation shows that the work is a Gesamtkunstwerk.

Masters Research - Master of Creative Arts / The study of Love and Death in Art Song and Opera is all- encompassing, threading the study of music with the other arts – literature, especially poetry and drama, and the visual arts, especially painting – and linking the study of philosophy and history, to provide a reference point for the societal attitudes of the time in which my repertoire was written. As the themes of love and death began to be expressed in literature and the arts in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, my exploration of this theme has grown into a journey through some of the most beautiful, expressive and well-known vocal music of the Romantic era, and into the twentieth century. The Romantics were intimately concerned with the expression of individual emotions, providing me with many opportunities to study repertoire relating to the many aspects of both love and death. It was interesting to discover how musical expression changed within the different national schools I studied – German, French, Spanish, and some Italian arias. I began my study in 1810 with the songs of Franz Schubert. As the master who revolutionized the German Lied, I felt it appropriate to open my first recital, indeed the first two recitals, with a set of Schubert Lieder. I also studied the works of Robert Schumann in the first two recitals, the only composer whose Lieder I studied as single songs and as a song cycle, the well-loved Frauenliebe und Leben. In Recital 2 I turned my attention to French repertoire, with the study of the magnificent song cycle of Hector Berlioz, Les nuits d’été. In the first two recitals I also studied bel canto and French arias. In the third recital I decided to continue my exploration of French Romantic music in relationship to love and death with a set of songs by Gabriel Fauré. My attention turned back to German repertoire - very different, however, from the works of Schubert and Schumann, in the famous song cycle by Richard Wagner, Wesendoncklieder. Two French songs completed this recital. My final recital featured an all-Spanish program, in which I explored my theme in two song cycles, Spanish opera and zarzuela.