Overview

John Rich (1692-1761) was a profoundly influential figure of the eighteenth-century London stage. As producer, manager, and performer, he transformed the urban entertainment market, creating genres and promotional methods still with us today. This volume gives the first comprehensive overview of Rich’s multifaceted career, appreciation of which has suffered from his performing identity as Lun, London’s most celebrated Harlequin. Far from the lightweight buffoon that this stereotype has suggested, Rich-the first producer of The Beggar’s Opera, the founder of Covent Garden, the dauntless backer of Handel, and the promoter of the principal dancers from the Parisian opera-is revealed as an agent of changes much more enduring than those of his younger contemporary, David Garrick. Contributions by leading scholars from a range of disciplines-theatre, dance, music, art, and cultural history-provide detailed analyses of Rich’s productions and representations. These findings complement Robert D. Hume’s lead article, a study that radically alters our perception of Rich. Published by University of Delaware Press. Distributed worldwide by Rutgers University Press.  

Full Product Details

9781644531242

Table of Contents

Reviews

""Any theater historian or production group tackling 18th-century dramatic literature will find this book a must-have because it looks at the theater process as a whole as it existed in situ. This is a great resource.""-- ""Choice""

John Rich, long overshadowed in British theater history by the Renaissance masters and later theater greats like David Garrick, is brought forward in this surprising collection of essays, which provides a comprehensive discussion of this influential 18th-century London theater practitioner. With sections on management, dance theater, musical theater, dramatic theater, and scenography and iconography --Rich's producing, acting, and design work (both for stage productions and theater construction)--this book is a treasure trove of historical research. Born out of a 2008 conference about Rich, the 17 essays are scholarly and thorough and include remarkable illustrations. Though the contributors' writing styles differ, the overall effect is of deeply felt desire to provide Rich his rightful place in history. Any theater historian or production group tackling 18th-century dramatic literature will find this book a must have because it looks at the theater process as a whole as it existed in situ. This is a great resource.-- (12/01/2011)

"John Rich, long overshadowed in British theater history by the Renaissance masters and later theater greats like David Garrick, is brought forward in this surprising collection of essays, which provides a comprehensive discussion of this influential 18th-century London theater practitioner. With sections on management, dance theater, musical theater, dramatic theater, and ""scenography and iconography""--Rich's producing, acting, and design work (both for stage productions and theater construction)--this book is a treasure trove of historical research. Born out of a 2008 conference about Rich, the 17 essays are scholarly and thorough and include remarkable illustrations. Though the contributors' writing styles differ, the overall effect is of deeply felt desire to provide Rich his rightful place in history. Any theater historian or production group tackling 18th-century dramatic literature will find this book a must have because it looks at the theater process as a whole as it existed in situ. This is a great resource.-- (12/01/2011)"

Author Information

Berta Joncus is a Lecturer in Music at Goldsmiths, University of London, and a research associate of the Faculty of Music, University of Oxford. Jeremy Barlow is author of The Enraged Musician: Hogarth’s Musical Imagery, and The Music of John Gay’s The Beggar’s Opera.

Tab Content 6

Customer Reviews

Recent Reviews

Countries Available