Michele Leigh Clark, Ph.D. 2005

Advisor: John Nádas

Dissertation Title: The Performances and Reception of Rossini’s Operas in Vienna, 1822-1825

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Dissertation Abstract:

Although Vienna had cultivated a long tradition of Italian opera, from 1822 to 1825 Rossini’s works enjoyed unprecedented popularity there. Rossini’s visit in 1822 provides a focal point for exploring the theatrical milieu of that time, the access the Viennese had to his music, his adaptations of specific operas for that city, the critical reception of his oeuvre in contemporary periodicals, and the impact these factors had on public reception of Rossini’s operas. Because of cultural and political events in the preceding decades, Vienna boasted a flourishing theatrical infrastructure that presented not only his works, but also translations of Italian and French repertoire, Singspiele, German opera, and ballet. Rossini’s operas were also available to the Viennese in the form of published music and librettos, all of which were monitored by the imperial censors. 

Domenico Barbaia played a crucial role in promoting Rossini’s music and in arranging the composer’s visit in 1822, for which they selected Zelmira, Elisabetta, Regina d’Inghilterra, La Gazza Ladra, Matilde di Shabran, and Ricciardo e Zoraide for performance at the Kärntnerthortheater. Rossini adapted these works to suit Viennese tastes by emphasizing compositional techniques that he felt would please a German audience and by choosing operas whose formal structures were fairly conventional compared to his more innovative oeuvre composed in Naples. Other factors in his revisions for Vienna included the genre of these works, the singers’ familiarity with them, and their individual capabilities. The popularity of his music triggered a counter-response from the members of the press, many of whom were proponents of German opera. In their critiques they hoped to promote a strong nationalist tradition and to influence public opinion against Rossini’s music. Rossini’s visit was a high point in the musical history of Vienna. The development of an operatic infrastructure, the availability of his music through theatrical performances and printed sources, the adaptations which he made for the Viennese operas, and critical reception of his works in contemporary periodicals all had an effect in popularizing his music and shaping the Viennese operatic milieu from 1822 to 1825. 

Dr. Clark has led a varied career as flautist, librarian, IT administrator, and professor. She received a Master’s Degree in Library Science from North Carolina Central University, where she currently works as an Adjunct Instructor in the Library Science program. She has also worked at several libraries, including in digitization and digital archiving projects. Since 2005, she has worked in the Radiology Department of UNC-Chapel Hill as an Assistant to the Associate Chair for Administration, where she has undertaken IT and information management responsibilities.