Placido Domingo's Tales from the Opera - Hardcover
Behind the scenes with Placido Domingo, the reader discovers the blood, sweat and tears which go into the staging of an opera. Productions at four of the world's great opera houses are featured: Wagner's "Die Walkure" at the Vienna State Opera; Giordano's "Fedora" at La Scala in Milan; Puccini's "La Boheme" at the Los Angeles Opera; and Verdi's "Stiffelio" at the New York Metropolitan. We follow Domingo from the initial auditions through the sheer hard work of rehearsal and the hours spent alone at the piano, to costume fittings and the final triumphant performance, with ecstatic plaudits from audience and critics alike. Into this framework Snowman has woven a portrait of Domingo the man, from his early years in Spain and his operatic debut, to his rapid rise to the position of international superstar. The author also examines many questions about opera. How does Domingo compare with Carreras and Pavarotti? Why does opera cost so much to put on? Is opera merely a museum art? What will Domingo do when he can no longer sing? All this combines to bring the reader a guide to the world of opera today
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From Booklist:
Placido Domingo is one of the foremost actor-singers gracing the opera stage today. He is variously described as gracious, affable, generous, and always challenged, and so Snowman portrays him in the four performances treated in this book. In his first excursion into singing Wagner's Ring, Domingo is Sigmund in Abbado's production of Die Walkure in Vienna. Looking toward his retirement from singing, he conducts La Boheme at the Los Angeles Opera. Next, he goes to the Metropolitan Opera to reprise his number-one role, Verdi's Otello, in his "home" house. Finally, he resurrects Il Guarany by Carlos Gomes, the "Verdi of Brazil," at the Bonn Opera. Snowman includes in each chapter a summary of the particular opera's plot, a description of the house in which it is performed and the production staff, and commentary on the actual performance, but precious little from Domingo himself, which will disappoint true fans. Perhaps the BBC TV series this book accompanies better maintains focus on Domingo, the consummate performer and musician. Alan Hirsch
From Library Journal:
Opera superstar Domingo has undoubtedly successfully crossed into the mainstream with his recordings of popular songs and media event concerts with fellow tenors Carreras and Pavarotti. In recent years he has also taken on a number of conducting assignments, earning respectable reviews. Here BBC producer Snowman (The World of Placido Domingo, McGraw, 1985) takes a look at four recent projects: Die Walkure in Vienna, La Boheme in Los Angeles, Otello at New York's Metropolitan Opera, and Guarany at the Bonn Opera, from early rehearsals to opening nights. Snowman is enthusiastic and knowledgeable about the operas, the theaters, and the singers. Unfortunately, as in his earlier biography, his excessive admiration for his subject quickly becomes tiresome. Demand may be generated by four related BBC specials, but for the most part, this book will be of interest only to very dedicated Domingo fans.?Kate McCaffrey, Onondaga Cty. P.L., Syracuse, N.Y.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
- PublisherDiane Pub Co
- Publication date1994
- ISBN 10 0788156993
- ISBN 13 9780788156991
- BindingHardcover
- Number of pages186
- Rating
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