JULES MASSENET: A RESEARCH AND REFERENCE GUIDE

The material contained in this monograph represents an overview of the writings and research about Jules Massenet, his life, his music, and the general period in which he lived and composed as well as many of his own writings. Despite the variety and amount of information contained in this volume, this is not meant to be an exhaustive collection. The essays, articles, and monographs included in this book were selected for their uniqueness, importance, interest, and value in advancing further studies in the music and life of Massenet. Some of the items included may not be well-known because they address unique elements of the composer’s art, and others which have been often quoted in part, such as Saint-Saëns’ article in L’Echo de Paris upon Massenet’s death, are included here to provide a full discussion of the source. Every effort has been made to offer a variety of impressions and opinions on Massenet, his music, and his career. While he was a very popular composer, he was not always understood as a person, nor was his music always appreciated by everyone. There was some professional jealousy no doubt, but there is also some unevenness in his oeuvre which even his greatest admirer would recognize. A limited number of sources have been included which, for various reasons, the present writer has not been able to examine firsthand; however, they are included to make the reader aware of their existence.