First and foremost, I would like to thank all of the contributors to this volume, not only for delivering their chapters in a timely fashion, but also for responding to my queries in a prompt, good-natured manner; it has been a genuine pleasure working with them. In particular, Cliff Eisen has offered constructive support, invaluable advice and sensible guidance at every stage of the project – not to mention lively, entertaining correspondence on a wide range of musical and non-musical topics – and receives my sincere gratitude.
Closer to home, Queen’s University, Belfast, granted me sabbatical leave from teaching and administrative duties in spring 2002, facilitating completion of the volume. I would also like to thank my wife, Celia Hurwitz-Keefe, who provided a sounding board for numerous ideas relating to design and content, and combined, in customary fashion, erudite criticism and loving support. My son, Abraham, offered regular, welcome distractions from work on the book; I hope that one day he will want to read it.
The plates from the autograph of Così fan tutte in chapter 3 are reproduced by kind permission of the Bild-Archiv in the Staatsbibliothek, Berlin.
Simon P. Keefe
Queen’s University, Belfast