Opera From the Greek: Studies in the Poetics of Appropriation

Michael Ewans explores how classical Greek tragedy and epic poetry have been appropriated in opera, through eight selected case studies. These range from Monteverdis Il ritorno dUlisse in patria, drawn from Homers Odyssey, to Mark-Antony Turnages Greek, based on Sophocless Oedipus the King. Choices have been based on an understanding that the relationship between each of the operas and their Greek source texts raise significant issues. Ewans examines the issues through a comparative analysis of significant divergences of plot, character and dramatic strategy between source text, libretto and opera.