Critical and Analytical Chronology of Opera Performances in Paris and at Court from 1655 to 1687

Réalisation par William Brooks, University of Bath et Buford Norman, University of South Carolina, 2005 ; revu et corrigé en 2022

Centre de Musique Baroque de Versailles, 2023

http://cmbv.fr/ark:/13681/bZNmau

This catalogue began as a database including factual information about performances of operas in France up to the end of 1687, in particular at court and in Paris. The entries take into account primary sources as well as secondary material appearing not later than the early months of 2004. In 2005, it became apparent that the software for which the database was originally conceived was no longer appropriate. The chronology was thus published in the form of a catalogue, in chronological order by date of performance. Since then, the chronology has been difficult to consult. A decision was thus made in 2022 to modernize the format of the entries and make them available on the website of the Centre de Musique Baroque de Versailles. Obvious errors have been corrected and several entries have been brought up to date. 

The catalogue includes dates and places of performances; the names of composers, librettists, and other contributors; the names of any known performers and members of the audience; details about sources. Note fields provide discussions of the reliability of dates or other information, along with extracts from sources consulted. Appendices include a bibliography and indices of names, works, places, and musical genres.

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