Stars of the Opera: A Description of Twelve Operas and a Series of Personal Sketches, With Interviews of Marcella Sembrich, Emma Eames, Emma Calve, ... Lehmann and Nellie Melba (Classic Reprint) - Hardcover

Mabel Wagnalls

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0331201887 ISBN 13: 9780331201888

Publisher: Forgotten Books, 2018

Synopsis

Behind the stage lights and after-hours conversations, discover the world of grand opera through the eyes of its legends.

This nonfiction collection traces twelve operas and a series of personal sketches, weaving interviews with iconic figures like Marcella Sembrich and others into vivid portraits of life on and off the stage. It offers accessible insights into performance, artistry, and the daily grind of top singers, conductors, and composers alike.

The book invites readers to observe not just the performances, but the craft that fuels them: rigorous study, language mastery, and the discipline of year‑round touring. Through candid conversations and detailed musical analyses, you’ll glimpse how great voices become enduring art, and how audience moments—applause, nerves, and triumph—shape a legendary career. Rich in period texture and practical notes on technique, it speaks to opera fans and curious newcomers alike.

• Get inside stories from rehearsals, interviews, and backstage routines
• Explore how performers train, memorize, and inhabit complex roles
• Learn about the contrasts between composers, operas, and vocal styles
• See how critics and audiences in different eras respond to iconic works

Ideal for readers who love opera history, artist profiles, and a window into the making of unforgettable performances. This edition centers on the people, their process, and the enduring appeal of twelve celebrated operas.

Edition details

• Publisher: Forgotten Books
• Publication date: 2018
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0331201887
• ISBN 13: 9780331201888
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 408