James Harding (1929–2007)

A good but not great insight into Massenet's work. To be honest, the book is not quite readable enough for a general opera fan nor is it necessarily academic enough to meet 21st century standards - when this volume came about Massenet's broader canon was far less well-represented on the stage.

Still, there aren't a lot of volumes focused on the composer so let's keep this one on the shelf.

2196 The Astonishing Adventure of General Boulanger, by James Harding (read 13 Mar 1989) Ernest Boulanger was born at Rennes on April 29, 1837, and he killed himself at his mistress's grave in Brussels on Sept 30, 1891. In January 1889 he almost could have gained power in France by a coup, but he hesitated. 100 years have passed, and so I thought it appropriate I have read what the author describes as "the first complete biography of the General in any language." It is footnoteless and given show more to jumps that make one doubt its literal accuracy. But the story is adequately told, and is an amazing one. show less