Shakespeare Electronic Conference, Vol. 3, No. 284.  Friday, 30 October 1992.
 
From: 		David Greer <
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Date: 		Friday, Oct. 30, 1992, 15:02:35 GMT
Subject: 3.0279 Shakespeare and Music
Comment: 	Re: SHK 3.0279 Shakespeare and Music
 
In his use of music, as in so much else, Shakespeare was an innovator.
Probably the best introduction to this subject is Frederick W. Sternfeld,
*Music in Shakespearean Tragedy* (1964, 2nd edn., 1967), which is more
comprehensive than its title suggests.  There is also a useful chapter entitled
"Shakespeare and the Music of the Elizabethan Stage" in Phyllis Hartnoll (ed.)
*Shakespeare and Music* (1964).
 
The argument that authentic music may sound merely archaic and twee can be
applied to other aspects of production, not least to Shakespeare's own
language.  There is certainly a lot to be said for trying to reproduce the
sound-world that the author had in mind, but this cannot be separated from a
host of other decisions that have to be made concerning the approach to a
production.
 
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