The Republic of Love by Martha C Nussbaum

Although opera is often viewed as an art form for the highly cultured and refined, it once held a powerful voice during the Enlightenment. It expressed ideas about potential reform and explored themes of love through music and song. This book examines several operas in depth—from their librettos to their compositions and, finally, their staging—analyzing how composers drew on various influences to articulate ideals about humanity and what it can aspire to become.

The author acknowledges at the outset that she is a devoted admirer of Mozart and his operas, and this preference is evident throughout the book. The first half is devoted entirely to Mozart and his works. The second half shifts to other composers, typically focusing on just one opera each. Unlike the chronological structure used for Mozart, these later chapters lack a clear organizational order, with composers from different centuries sometimes discussed together.

The author also admits that she is not a fan of Wagner or Wagnerian opera, and she moves quickly through his work in a brief chapter near the end. Overall, some readers may appreciate the in-depth exploration of opera and its treatment of love, but the book will likely appeal most strongly to devoted Mozart enthusiasts.