The dissertation analyzes from a queer point of view the adaptations of the Phaedra myth by Benjamin Britten («Phaedra», dramatic cantata for mezzo-soprano and small orchestra, 1976), Sylvano Bussotti («Le Racine: Pianobar pour Phèdre», opera in a prologue, three acts and an intermezzo, 1980), and Hans Werner Henze («Phaedra», Konzertoper in two acts, 2007). The analysis shows that the myth of an incestuous – and hence censored – love offered the three homosexual composers the opportunity to represent homoerotic desire, labelled as deviant by heteronormative society and therefore condemned. Four appendixes provide the history of musical adaptations of the Phaedra myth (appendix A), an interview to Sylvano Bussotti and his partner Rocco Quaglia (appendix B), the libretto edition of Bussotti's «Le Racine» (appendix C), and a comparison between the librettos of Bussotti's «Le Racine» and «Fedra» (appendix D). Also included is a reproduction of the press reviews of Bussotti's «Le Racine» and «Fedra» premieres, stored respectively at the archive of Teatro alla Scala (Milan) and the archive of Teatro dell'Opera (Rome).
Una lettura queer del mito di Fedra. Gli adattamenti di Britten, Bussotti e Henze
MARSICO, FEDERICA
2016-01-01
Abstract
The dissertation analyzes from a queer point of view the adaptations of the Phaedra myth by Benjamin Britten («Phaedra», dramatic cantata for mezzo-soprano and small orchestra, 1976), Sylvano Bussotti («Le Racine: Pianobar pour Phèdre», opera in a prologue, three acts and an intermezzo, 1980), and Hans Werner Henze («Phaedra», Konzertoper in two acts, 2007). The analysis shows that the myth of an incestuous – and hence censored – love offered the three homosexual composers the opportunity to represent homoerotic desire, labelled as deviant by heteronormative society and therefore condemned. Four appendixes provide the history of musical adaptations of the Phaedra myth (appendix A), an interview to Sylvano Bussotti and his partner Rocco Quaglia (appendix B), the libretto edition of Bussotti's «Le Racine» (appendix C), and a comparison between the librettos of Bussotti's «Le Racine» and «Fedra» (appendix D). Also included is a reproduction of the press reviews of Bussotti's «Le Racine» and «Fedra» premieres, stored respectively at the archive of Teatro alla Scala (Milan) and the archive of Teatro dell'Opera (Rome).I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
