Music On The Shakespearian Stage (cambridge Library Collection - Shakespeare And Renaissance Drama)

George H. Cowling (1881–1946), Lecturer in English at the University of Leeds and subsequently Professor of English at Melbourne, wrote this study as his dissertation, inspired by his own love of music. He shows what kinds of music were used on the Elizabethan stage, and explains where in the theatre, at which point during the plays and with which instruments and personnel the music was performed. He also assesses what both songs and incidental music contributed to the meaning and the performance of Shakespeare, going back to examine the roots of dramatic music in the use of religious music in the medieval Mystery plays. He offers a lively and approachable introduction to the subject that provides a way into the field of early modern music in the theatre, and a foundation for more detailed critical work. PREFACE......Page 10 CONTENTS......Page 12 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS......Page 13 INTRODUCTION......Page 14 CHAPTER I MUSIC IN PRE-SHAKESPEARIAN DRAMA......Page 20 CHAPTER II AN ELIZABETHAN STAGE AND ITS MUSIC......Page 35 CHAPTER III MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS AND THEIR USES......Page 58 CHAPTER IV INCIDENTAL MUSIC......Page 85 CHAPTER V MUSICIANS, SINGERS, AND SONGS......Page 96 CHAPTER VI ELIZABETHAN MUSIC AND ITS SHARE IN THE DRAMA......Page 112 CHAPTER VII SOME LITERARY ALLUSIONS TO MUSIC IN ELIZABETHAN PLAYS......Page 123 BIBLIOGRAPHY......Page 134 APPENDIX......Page 136 INDEX......Page 139 In this lively 1913 introduction to the field of early modern music in the theatre, Cowling explains what kinds of music were used on the Elizabethan stage, and describes where in the theatre, at which point during the plays and with which instruments and personnel, the music was performed.