Routledge - The Artist-Operas of Pfitzner, Krenek and Hindemith

Explore the complex relationship between music and society in this groundbreaking scholarly work. The Artist-Operas of Pfitzner, Krenek and Hindemith: Politics and the Ideology of the Artist serves as the first book-length study dedicated to the specific genre of 'artist-opera.' This genre features central characters who are artists struggling to find their place within the world. This book investigates how three specific operas-Pfitzner's Palestrina (1915), Krenek's Jonny spielt auf (1926), and Hindemith's Mathis der Maler (1935)-contributed to the intense debates in early twentieth-century Germany. It examines the role of art and the artist in modern society during this transformative era. Readers will gain a deeper understanding of how the artist-character functions as a potential persona for the real composer. This study provides a detailed look at the political and ideological tensions that shaped operatic themes and musical identity in Germany. It is an essential resource for students and researchers interested in music history, opera studies, and the social impact of art.