This volume examines the stories of Genesis in music, showing how musical settings can illuminate many of the Bible''s most noted tales. Helen Leneman studies oratorios, operas and songs (as well as their librettos) to shed light on how Genesis has been understood and experienced over time. Examining an extensive range of musical settings of stories from the book of Genesis, Leneman offers an overview of chiefly 19th and 20th century musical engagements with this biblical text.
Leneman first discusses how Eve''s inner thoughts are explored by noted French composers Jules Massenet and Gabriel Faur-The text then enters the deep waters of Noah''s flood in examination of several compositions, including two unusual settings by Igor Stravinsky and Benjamin Britten, as well as more conventional settings by Saint-Sa- and Donizetti. Two major 19th century oratorio settings of Abraham''s story by lesserknown German composers Martin Blumner and Karl Mangold provide fascinating illuminati
