Professor Clair Rowden

  • Professor in Music (Music)

Biography

I am Professor of Musicology and Head of Music at the University of Glasgow. My research deals with nineteenth-century France, transnationalism and opera, its critical reception, stage production, dance, iconography and caricature. My current research looks at material cultures and their relationship to opera, singers and constructions of femininity and celebrity, in particular, through singers’ jewellery.

Recent publications include Opera and Parody in Paris, 1860-1900 (Brepols, 2020) and the co-edited volume Carmen Abroad: Bizet’s Opera on the Global Stage (Cambridge University Press, 2020), winner of the 2021 Royal Musical Association outstanding edited collection prize. Opera in Transnational Contexts: Circulating Identities and Cultures, co-edited with Barbara Gentili and Paulo M. Kühl is in press with Routledge (2026).                                                                     

I regularly write programme notes for the Opéra-Comique (Paris), Wexford Festival Opera, Welsh National Opera, the Royal Ballet and Opera (Covent Garden), Bilbao Opera, Teatro San Carlo (Naples) and the Salzburg Festival.

Publications

List by: Type | Date

Jump to: 2026 | 2025
Number of items: 5.

2026

Rowden, Clair ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0148-7864, Gentili, Barbara and Kühl, Paulo M. (Eds.) (2026) Opera in Transnational Contexts: Circulating Identities and Cultures. Routledge. ISBN 9781032861111 (In Press)

Rowden, Clair ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0148-7864 (2026) The diva and transnational singing: Anne Charton-Demeur. In: Rowden, Clair, Gentili, Barbara and Kühl, Paulo M. (eds.) Opera in Transnational Contexts: Circulating Identities and Cultures. Routledge. ISBN 9781032861111 (In Press)

Rowden, Clair ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0148-7864, Gentili, Barbara and Kühl, Paulo M. (2026) Introduction. In: Rowden, Clair, Gentili, Barbara and Kühl, Paulo M. (eds.) Opera in Transnational Contexts: Circulating Identities and Cultures. Routledge. ISBN 9781032861111 (In Press)

2025

Rowden, Clair ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0148-7864 (2025) ‘La Parodie musicale d’Hervé’. Journées d'étude Hervé, (In Press)

Rowden, Clair ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0148-7864 and San Martín Arbide, Lola (2025) Carmen passe partout au XXIe siècle: un nouveau regard sur l’opéra de Bizet à l’aune du féminisme intersectionnel. In: Amour et mariage à l’opéra: variations autour d’un theme. Garnier Classiques. (In Press)

This list was generated on Tue Jan 6 20:57:13 2026 GMT.
Number of items: 5.

Articles

Rowden, Clair ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0148-7864 (2025) ‘La Parodie musicale d’Hervé’. Journées d'étude Hervé, (In Press)

Book Sections

Rowden, Clair ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0148-7864 (2026) The diva and transnational singing: Anne Charton-Demeur. In: Rowden, Clair, Gentili, Barbara and Kühl, Paulo M. (eds.) Opera in Transnational Contexts: Circulating Identities and Cultures. Routledge. ISBN 9781032861111 (In Press)

Rowden, Clair ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0148-7864, Gentili, Barbara and Kühl, Paulo M. (2026) Introduction. In: Rowden, Clair, Gentili, Barbara and Kühl, Paulo M. (eds.) Opera in Transnational Contexts: Circulating Identities and Cultures. Routledge. ISBN 9781032861111 (In Press)

Rowden, Clair ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0148-7864 and San Martín Arbide, Lola (2025) Carmen passe partout au XXIe siècle: un nouveau regard sur l’opéra de Bizet à l’aune du féminisme intersectionnel. In: Amour et mariage à l’opéra: variations autour d’un theme. Garnier Classiques. (In Press)

Edited Books

Rowden, Clair ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0148-7864, Gentili, Barbara and Kühl, Paulo M. (Eds.) (2026) Opera in Transnational Contexts: Circulating Identities and Cultures. Routledge. ISBN 9781032861111 (In Press)

This list was generated on Tue Jan 6 20:57:13 2026 GMT.

Prior publications

Other

Rowden, Clair, San Martín Arbide, Lola (2023) #JeSuisCarmen, Opéra-Comique [Programme Note] Clair Rowden.

Rowden, Clair (2023) '?Por qué eres Romeo?' [Programme Note] Bilbao Opera programme 'Roméo et Juliette' Clair Rowden.

Rowden, Clair (2019) Carmen: Life and death on stage in the 21st century, Welsh National Opera [Programme Note] Clair Rowden.

Rowden, Clair (2016) In the power of Venus, yet in union with Christ: Jules Massenet's 'comédie lyrique' Thaïs', Salzburger Festspiele [Programme note] Clair Rowden.

Rowden, Clair (2015) 'From the fairground to the heights of French art : Opéra comiqueand Le Pré aux clercs', Wexford Festival Opera [Programme notes] Clair Rowden.

Bizet, George, R. Langham Smith, Clair Sophie Rowden (2014) Georges Bizet, 'Carmen' (Edition Peters) [vocal score] Clair Rowden.

Rowden, Clair Sophie (2014) Wilde's 'Salome': a very modern French affair, Wexford Festival Opera [Programme Note] Wexford Festival Opera Clair Rowden.

Bizet, George, R. Langham Smith, Clair Sophie Rowden (2013) Georges Bizet, 'Carmen' (Edition Peters) [vocal score] Clair Rowden.

Clair Sophie Rowden, Louise Axon, Megan Varvir Coe (2013) Salome [Press dossier] Clair Rowden.

Rowden, Clair Sophie (2012) La Réception des Pecheurs de Perles, Opéra-Comique [Programme Note] Opera Comique, Paris Clair Rowden.

Rachel Moore, Clair Sophie Rowden (2011) Mascagni, Cavalleria rusticana, Paris premiere. Dossier de presse Clair Rowden.

Rowden, Clair Sophie (2011) The End of the Fairytale, Royal Opera House [Programme note] Cendrillon Clair Rowden.

Rowden, Clair Sophie (2010) 'Les P̂echeurs' and the Parisian Press, Royal Opera House [Programme note] Les P̂echeurs de Perles Clair Rowden.

Rowden, Clair Sophie (2010) A Source of Lyricism [Programme note] Roméo et Juliette Clair Rowden.

Rowden, Clair Sophie (2010) Sentiment and Reminiscence, Royal Opera House [Programme note] Manon Clair Rowden.

Rowden, Clair Sophie (2008) Massenet and the 'Manon' score; Royal Ballet [Programme note] Manon Clair Rowden.

Rowden, Clair Sophie (2007) Cinderella takes a Roman holiday, Royal Opera House [Programme Note] La Cenerentola Clair Rowden.

Rowden, Clair Sophie (2007) Massenet and 'Thaïs': the religious context, Royal Opera House [Programme Note] Thaïs Clair Rowden.

Rowden, Clair Sophie (2004) 'The island's full of noises, sounds and voices': l'écriture vocale de Thomas Adès [Programme note] Avant-Scène Opéra: Thomas Adès 'The Tempest' Clair Rowden.

Rowden, Clair Sophie (2004) 'Werther' at home and abroad, Royal Opera House [Programme Note] Werther Clair Rowden.

Rowden, Clair Sophie, Joël-Marie Fauquet (2003) Cendrillon [Dictionary entry] Dictionnaire de la musique en France au XIXe siècle Clair Rowden. ISBN 9782213593166

Rowden, Clair Sophie, Joël-Marie Fauquet (2003) Chérubin [Dictionary entry] Dictionnaire de la musique en France au XIXe siècle Clair Rowden. ISBN 9782213593166

Rowden, Clair Sophie (2003) Explosive Opera: 'La Navarraise' face à la critique londonienne [Programme note] Avant-Scène Opéra: Massenet 'Sapho', 'La Navarraise' Clair Rowden.

Rowden, Clair Sophie, Joël-Marie Fauquet (2003) Grisélidis [Dictionary entry] Dictionnaire de la musique en France au XIXe siècle Clair Rowden. ISBN 9782213593166

Rowden, Clair Sophie, Joël-Marie Fauquet (2003) Hérodiade [Dictionary entry] Dictionnaire de la musique en France au XIXe siècle Clair Rowden. ISBN 9782213593166

Rowden, Clair Sophie, Joël-Marie Fauquet (2003) La Navarraise [Dictionary entry] Dictionnaire de la musique en France au XIXe siècle Clair Rowden. ISBN 9782213593166

Rowden, Clair Sophie, Joël-Marie Fauquet (2003) Le Jongleur de Notre-Dame [Dictionary article] Dictionnaire de la musique en France au XIXe siècle Clair Rowden. ISBN 9782213593166

Rowden, Clair Sophie, Joël-Marie Fauquet (2003) Thais [Dictionary entry] Dictionnaire de la musique en France au XIXe siècle Clair Rowden. ISBN 9782213593166

Article

Rowden, Clair (2023) 'Anne Charton-Demeur: a "classical" diva' Berlioz Society Bulletin Clair Rowden.

Rowden, Clair (2019) "Le Tétraque se perdait dans un r̂eve": concordance between Flaubert's Hérodias and Hérodiade by Milliet, Grémont and Massenet Flaubert: Revue Critique et Génétique Clair Rowden. ISSN 1969-6191

Rowden, Clair (2018) Deferent daisies: Caroline Miolan Carvalho, Christine Nilsson and Marguerite, 1869 Cambridge Opera Journal Clair Rowden. ISSN 0954-5867 (doi: 10.1017/S0954586719000089)

Rowden, Clair (2018) Reinventing 'Carmen' Opera Clair Rowden. ISSN 0030-3526

Rowden, Clair Sophie (2014) 'Thais': adaptation, degeneration and intermediality Dix-Neuf Clair Rowden. (doi: 10.1179/1478731814Z.00000000049)

Rowden, Clair Sophie (2014) The other 'Salome' Opera Clair Rowden. ISSN 1657-8651

Rowden, Clair Sophie (2013) Memorialisation, commemoration and commodification: Massenet and caricature Cambridge Opera Journal Clair Rowden. ISSN 0954-5867 (doi: 10.1017/S0954586713000049)

Rowden, Clair Sophie (2009) Opera, caricature and the unconscious: Massenet's 'Thaïs', a case study Music in Art: International Journal for Music Iconography Clair Rowden. ISSN 1522-7464

Rowden, Clair Sophie (2008) Decentralisation and regeneration at the Thé̂atre des Arts, Rouen, 1889-1891 Revue de Musicologie Clair Rowden. ISSN 0035-1601

Rowden, Clair Sophie (2007) Werther, La Navarraise and Verismo: A Matter of Taste Franco - British Studies: journal of the British Institute in Paris Clair Rowden. ISSN 0952-8571

Rowden, Clair Sophie (1998) 'Hérodiade': anticlerical, imperial or republican opera? British Postgraduate Musicology Clair Rowden. ISSN 1460-9231

Book Section

Rowden, Clair, Johanna Talasniemi, Ulla-Britta Broman-Kananen, Nuppu Koivisto-Kaasik (2023) 'Operatic gems: Adelina Patti, prerogative and paste' "Her creative process": pathways to music history and performance. Festschrift for Anne Kauppala Clair Rowden. ISBN 978-952-329-342-7

Rowden, Clair, Nicolas Dufetel (2022) Catholicism and moral philosophy in nineteenth-century France Religious Music in Ninteenth-Century France Clair Rowden. ISBN 978-2503597775

Rowden, Clair, Cecile Reynaud, Gisele Séginger (2022) Hérodias et les Salomé des scènes parisiennes Berlioz, Flaubert et l'Orient Clair Rowden.

Rowden, Clair, Smith, Richard Langham, Richard Langham Smith, Clair Rowden (2020) 'Carmen' at home and abroad Carmen Abroad: Bizet's Opera on the Global Stage Clair Rowden. ISBN 9781108481618

Rowden, Clair, Richard Langham Smith, Clair Rowden (2020) 'Carmen' faces Paris and the provinces Carmen Abroad: Bizet's Opera on the Global Stage Clair Rowden. ISBN 9781108481618

Rowden, Clair, Arbide, Lola San Martin, Claire Lozier, Isabelle Marc (2020) Final féministe: les défis de la mise en scène au XXIème siècle. #JeSuisCarmen Carmen Revisitée / Revisiter Carmen: Nouveaux Visages d'Un Mythe Transversal Clair Rowden. ISBN 9782807609006

Rowden, Clair (2020) The sopranos, Parisian style, 1869 Opera as Institution: Networks and Professions (1730-1917) Clair Rowden. ISBN 9783643911490

Rowden, Clair, Michela Niccolai, Clair Rowden (2017) 'Du grand au petit': Faust on Parisian stages in 1869 Musical Theatre in Europe 1830-1945 Clair Rowden. ISBN 9782503577661

Rowden, Clair, Anne Kauppala, Ulla-Britta Broman-Kananen, Jens Hesselager (2017) Parodying opera in Paris: Tannhäuser on the popular stage, 1861 Tracing Operatic and Theatrical Performances in the Long 19th Century: Practices, Performers, Peripheries Clair Rowden. ISBN 9789523290891

Rowden, Clair Sophie, Hyunseon Lee, Naomi Segal (2015) Loie Fuller and Salome: The unveiling of a myth Opera, Exoticism and Visual Culture Clair Rowden. ISBN 9783034317825

Rowden, Clair Sophie, Jean-Christophe Branger, Vincent Giroud (2014) Memorialisation, commemoration et commercialisation: Massenet et la caricature Massenet aujourd'hui : Héritage et postérité Clair Rowden. ISBN 9782862726540

Rowden, Clair Sophie, Donna M. Di Grazia (2013) Choral music and music making in France Nineteenth-Century Choral Music Clair Rowden. ISBN 9780415988520

Rowden, Clair Sophie, Clair Sophie Rowden (2013) Whose/who's Salome? Natalia Trouhanowa, a dancing diva Performing Salome, Revealing Stories Clair Rowden. ISBN 9781409445678

Rowden, Clair Sophie, Donna M. Di Grazia (2012) The Choral Music of Félicien David, Charles Gounod, and Jules Massenet Nineteenth-Century Choral Music Clair Rowden. ISBN 9780415988520

Rowden, Clair Sophie, Günter Brosche, Jürgen May, Wien Internationale Richard Strauss-Gesellschaft, Garmisch-Partenkirchen Richard Strauss-Institut (2011) Salome and modern opera: a Parisian perspective Richard Strauss-Jahrbuch 2011: Richard Strauss im Europäischen Kontext Clair Rowden. ISBN 9783862960316

Rowden, Clair Sophie, Jean-Christophe Branger (2010) Loïe Fuller et Salomé: Les drames mimés de Gabriel Pierné et de Florent Schmitt Musique et Chorégraphie en France de Léo Delibes à Florent Schmitt Clair Rowden. ISBN 9782862725420

Rowden, Clair Sophie, Alban Ramaut, Jean-Christophe Branger (2006) L'amour sacré et le sacre de l'amour: l'homme saint chez Massenet Opéra et Religion sous la IIIe République Clair Rowden. ISBN 286272436X

Rowden, Clair Sophie, Jean-Christophe Branger, Alban Ramaut (2004) Paris - Londres : 'La Navarraise' face à la presse Le Naturalisme sur la scène lyrique Clair Rowden. ISBN 9782862723440

Rowden, Clair Sophie, Jim Samson, Bennett Zon (2002) 'Hérodiade': Church, State and the Feminist Movement Nineteenth-Century Music: Selected Proceedings of the Tenth International Conference Clair Rowden. ISBN 9780754602057

Book Review

Rowden, Clair (2023) Ohé! les p'tits agneaux! A Parisian revue de fin d'année for 185, ed. Richard Sherr Notes: the Quarterly Journal of the Music Library Association Clair Rowden. ISSN 0027-4380

Rowden, Clair (2022) Hugh Macdonald, Saint-Saëns and the stage: Operas, plays, pageants, a ballet and a film Fontes Artis Musicae Clair Rowden. ISSN 0015-6191 (doi: 10.1353/fam.2022.0002)

Rowden, Clair (2022) Stéphane Leteuré, Croquer Saint-Saëns: Une histoire de la représentation du musicien par la caricature La Revue de Musicologie Clair Rowden.

Rowden, Clair (2020) Charles Gounod, Cantates et musique sacrée - Flemish Radio Choir and the Brussels Philharmonic, Hervé Niquet cond - Includes book of essays in French and English edited by Alexandre Dratwicki - Collection Prix de Rome, vol. 6 - Ediciones Singulares 1030, 2017 (2 CDs: 127 minutes) Nineteenth-Century Music Review Clair Rowden. ISSN 1479-4098 (doi: 10.1017/S1479409818000605)

Rowden, Clair (2016) Bizet. By Hugh Macdonald. The Bizet Catalogue. By Hugh Macdonald Music and Letters Clair Rowden. ISSN 0027-4224 (doi: 10.1093/ml/gcw024)

Rowden, Clair Sophie (2014) La Dramaturgie de Gustave Charpentier. By Michela Niccolai Music and Letters Clair Rowden. ISSN 0027-4224 (doi: 10.1093/ml/gcu025)

Rowden, Clair Sophie (2013) Jann Pasler, ed., Camille Saint-Saëns and his world. Princeton and Oxford: Princeton University Press,2012. H-France Review Clair Rowden. ISSN 1553-9172

Rowden, Clair Sophie (2011) Annegret Fauser & Mark Everist (eds.), Music, Theater, and Cultural Transfer: Paris 1830-1914 (University of Chicago Press, 2009), 439 pp. ISBN-13: 978-0-226-23926-2. H: France Clair Rowden. ISSN 1553-9172

Rowden, Clair Sophie (2010) An Introduction to the Dramatic Works of Giacomo Meyerbeer: Operas, Ballets, Cantatas, Plays. By Robert Ignatius Letellier. Music and Letters Clair Rowden. ISSN 0027-4224 (doi: 10.1093/ml/gcq031)

Rowden, Clair Sophie (2010) Andreas Giger, Verdi and the French Aesthetic: Verse, Stanza, and Melody in Nineteenth-Century Opera (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2009). x + 294pp. Nineteenth-Century Music Review Clair Rowden. ISSN 1479-4098 (doi: 10.1017/S1479409800003657)

Rowden, Clair Sophie (2009) Alexandra Wilson, The Puccini Problem: Opera, Nationalism and Modernity (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2007), ISBN 978-0-521-85688-1 (hb) twentieth-century music Clair Rowden. ISSN 1478-5722 (doi: 10.1017/S1478572210000083)

Rowden, Clair Sophie (2008) Berlioz and Debussy: Sources, Contexts and Legacies: Essays in Honour of Fraņcois Lesure Musicology Australia Clair Rowden. ISSN 0814-5857 (doi: 10.1080/08145857.2008.10416750)

Rowden, Clair Sophie (2008) French Music Since Berlioz Musicology Australia Clair Rowden. ISSN 0814-5857 (doi: 10.1080/08145857.2008.10416749)

Rowden, Clair Sophie (2006) David Charlton (ed.), The Cambridge Companion to Grand Opera (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2003). 496 pp. Nineteenth-Century Music Review Clair Rowden. ISSN 1479-4098 (doi: 10.1017/S1479409800000380)

Rowden, Clair Sophie (2004) Julian Rushton, The Music of Berlioz (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2001). xv + 363pp. Nineteenth-Century Music Review Clair Rowden. ISSN 1479-4098 (doi: 10.1017/S1479409800001415)

Rowden, Clair Sophie (2004) Meyerbeer in Italy [CD] Nineteenth-Century Music Review Clair Rowden. ISSN 1479-4098 (doi: 10.1017/S1479409800001506)

Rowden, Clair Sophie (2003) Reading Critics Reading: Opera and Ballet Criticism in France from the Revolution to 1848 Music and Letters Clair Rowden. ISSN 0027-4224 (doi: 10.1093/ml/84.2.300)

Book

Richard Langham Smith, Clair Rowden (2020) Carmen abroad: Bizet's opera on the global stage Clair Rowden. ISBN 9781108481618

Rowden, Clair (2020) Opera and parody in Paris, 1860-1900 Clair Rowden. ISBN 9782503583624

Michela Niccolai, Clair Rowden (2017) Musical theatre in Europe 1830-1945 Clair Rowden. ISBN 9782503577661

Clair Sophie Rowden (2013) Performing Salome, revealing stories Clair Rowden. ISBN 9781409445678

Rowden, Clair Sophie (2004) Republican morality and Catholic tradition in opera: Massenet's Hérodïade and Thaïs Clair Rowden. ISBN 9783925934612

Clair Sophie Rowden (2000) Jules Massenet, Thaïs: dossier de presse parisienne (1894) Clair Rowden. ISBN 3925934464

Website

Rowden, Clair, Langham Smith, Richard (2018) Carmen abroad: The when and where of Carmen performances, 1875-1945 Clair Rowden.