Brass Diva

Name: Brass Diva
Brand: Unknown
SKU: 9780520260221
Price: 66.99 NZD
Availability: InStock

The Life and Legends of Ethel Merman

By Caryl Flinn

Summary

Brass Diva by Caryl Flinn explores the life and career of the legendary operatic soprano, Ethel Merman. Through an engaging narrative, the book delves into Merman's personal and professional highs and lows, her influence on Broadway, and her lasting impact on American music and performance. The biography provides an insightful look at the dynamic, bold character that defined Merman's remarkable journey.
Read More

Format: Paperback / softback

$66⁹⁹

AVAILABLE WITH SUPPLIER Ships from our Auckland warehouse within 3-4 weeks

Found a better price? Request a price match

Brass Diva

$66⁹⁹

Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you have an interest in the history of American film music and wish to delve into the life and career of a trailblazing female musician. It offers an engaging look at personal and professional challenges in the golden age of Hollywood, making it a perfect read for those drawn to stories of triumph in the entertainment industry.

Brass Diva

Broadway star Ethel Merman's voice was a mesmerizing force and her vitality was legendary. This detailed biography tells the story of how the stenographer from Queens, New York, became the queen of the Broadway musical in its golden age.

Description

Broadway star Ethel Merman's voice was a mesmerising force and her vitality was legendary, yet the popular perception of La Merm as the irrepressible wonder falls far short of all that she was and all that she meant to Americans over so many decades. This marvellously detailed biography is the first to tell the full story of how the stenographer from Queens, New York, became the queen of the Broadway musical in its golden age.

Mining official and unofficial sources, including interviews with Merman's family and her personal scrapbooks, Caryl Flinn unearths new details of Merman's life and finds that behind the high-octane personality was a remarkably pragmatic woman who never lost sight of her roots.

Brass Diva takes us from Merman's working-class beginnings through the extraordinary career that was launched in 1930 when, playing a secondary role in a Gershwin Brothers' show, she became an overnight sensation singing "I Got Rhythm." From there, we follow Merman's hits on Broadway, her uneven successes in Hollywood, and her afterlife as a beloved camp icon.

This definitive work on the phenomenon that was Ethel Merman is also the first to thoroughly explore her robust influence on American popular culture.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Brass Diva by Caryl Flinn is praised for its well-crafted and insightful portrayal, appealing to musical theatre aficionados and those who appreciate sharp wit. The biography is commended for its detailed analysis of Merman's performances across various media, offering theatre enthusiasts a sophisticated examination of her work.

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780520260221

Publisher: University of California Press

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 25 February 2009

Country: United States

Imprint: University of California Press

Illustration: 50 b-w photographs

Audience: Professional and scholarly

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 33.0mm

Width: 152.0mm

Height: 229.0mm

Weight: 726g

Pages: 560

Collections

Arts & Culture Biography & Memoir Caryl Flinn Musicians, Movie Stars & Creative Biographies Non-Fiction

About the Author

Caryl Flinn lives and works in Tucson, where she is a Professor at the University of Arizona. She is the author of The New German Cinema: Music, History and the Matter of Style (UC Press), Strains of Utopia, and Music and Cinema (co-edited with James Buhler and David Neumeyer).