Inventing the Business of Opera

Marco Faustini was among the most active and successful professionals in seventeenth-century Venetian opera. As an impresario, he was responsible for every facet of production from contracting the cast to balancing the books at the season's end. Through examination of Faustini's documents - including personal papers, account books, and correspondence - Beth and Jonathan Glixon provide a comprehensive view of opera production in mid-seventeenth century Venice. For the first time, an emphasis is placed on the "physical production," the scenery, costumes, and stage machinery that tied these opera productions to the social and economic life of the city.