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THEATRE ROYAL DRURY-LANE. THIS PRESENT THURSDAY FEBRUARY 25 1808. . . THE NEW OPERA IN 4 ACTS OF KAIS; OR LOVE IN THE DESERTS. . .
1808rif. 354London: Lowndes Printer 1808. First Edition. Broadside. Fine. Broadside approximately 11 1/2 x 8 1/2 inches untrimmed. Portion of bottom line of text unprinted. Small remnants of paper tape on verso else fine. Broadside advertising the twelfth performance of the opera KAIS OR LOVE IN THE DESERTS at Drury Lane starring and produced by the renowned English tenor John Braham. John Braham ca. 1774-1856 rose from poverty and orphanhood in London to the heights of European opera where he celebrated as one of the great voices of his age. As a British Jew he also represented a major shift in Jewish status and social potential in the late Georgian era becoming not only an artist of acclaim but also eventually the father-in-law of several English aristocrats. KAIS was based on the ancient Arabian love story of Layla and Majnun which had been adapted into a famous work by Persian Poet Nizami Ganjavi in the 12th century which in turn became the source for numerous later poets and mystics throughout the Middle East and Central and South Asia. The story gained great popularity in Europe after Isaac DIsraeli published an English translation in the early 19th century. It was upon this translation that Isaac Brandon based the libretto for KAIS. Braham and William Reeve composed the music for the opera which opened in 1807. Lowndes, Printer books
W. C. Baker Rare Books & Ephemera · Stati Uniti250,00 USD≈ 223,35 €
