Published by Forgotten Books
Non-Fiction / Biography
Christina Nilsson is an 18th century
opera singer that unless you are a Phantom of the Opera buff, you
probably haven't heard about. The story of a poor Swedish bumpkin
being picked up and offered a chance at a life filled with music and
operatic future seems like a Cinderella fairytale.
I picked up this book for research; you see, I'm writing a retelling, and I need as much information as I possibly can. And while I was slightly disappointed by how thin the book was, I'm still happy I got it.
Guy de Charnace gives us a snippet of
the beginning of Christina Nilsson's rise from an angelic farm girl
into one of the most celebrated opera singers around Europe.
While I was hoping this book would be
longer, and a more thorough insight into her life, this little
chapter book expands her humble beginnings to several years following
her operatic debut in La Traviara at the Theatre Lyrique. With
several glimpses into her character, and switches between teachers,
we are finally given mass details of the public interest and reaction
toward the Swedish girl.
Through many roles she had undertaken
we see professional growth, and a reminder than no matter who it is
we idolize, even they're not faultless. Several firsthand accounts
in this book, describe audience reactions, and even the quality of
Christina's voice and acting choices compared to her famous
contemporaries.
This was an interesting and
somewhat useful insight into the beginnings of Christina Nilsson. As
a research tool, this can be helpful to timeline, and even the personality of the ambitious, yet modest, Christina. I know I will definitely be using it for my book.
Overall, I give this book:
⭐⭐⭐⭐
If this book had been longer and in more detail, I would be worshipping it right now. But, alas, it will have to do for now as a decent source for my research. I respect Forgotten Books for reprinting this so that it may be available to those who want to learn more about Christina Nilsson.
