Susan McClary Bücher

A groundbreaking collection of essays in feminist music criticism, this book addresses problems of gender and sexuality in repertoires ranging from the early seventeenth century to rock and performance art. “. . . this is a major book . . . [McClary’s] achievement borders on the miraculous.” The Village Voice“No one will read these essays without thinking about and hearing music in new and interesting ways. Exciting reading for adventurous students and staid professionals.” Choice“Feminine Endings, a provocative ‘sexual politics’ of Western classical or art music, rocks conservative musicology at its core. No review can do justice to the wealth of ideas and possibilities [McClary’s] book presents. All music-lovers should read it, and cheer.” The Women’s Review of Books"McClary writes with a racy, vigorous, and consistently entertaining style. . . . What she has to say specifically about the music and the text is sharp, accurate, and telling; she hears what takes place musically with unusual sensitivity."-The New York Review of Books

Exploring the interplay between various cultural forms, this book delves into how artists in the 1600s—through visual arts, poetry, theatre, music, and dance—navigated and expressed the shifting human values of their time. It highlights the unique ways in which these creative expressions reflected the complexities of a rapidly changing society, offering insights into the emotional and cultural landscapes of the seventeenth century.

An analysis of thirty operas reveals a negative portrayal of women that reflects the nineteenth century patriarchal social order