Books by David Charlton

Drawing upon archival research and musicological theory, these essays investigate distinctive qualities in French opera from early opera comique to early grand opera. "Media" is interpreted in terms of both narrative systems and practical theatre resources.

Originally published in 1986, this major study in English explores Gretry's twenty-four opera-comiques and opera-comique as a genre in the period before the French Revolution. The book can thus be used as a reference tool or read as a comprehensive survey of opera-comique between 1768 and 1791.