Who's Afraid of Opera

Opera is very much in the public eye--and ear. Here is a lively and readable guide to this inspiring branch of classical music--for anyone who has already discovered the joy of opera and anyone who would like to.

For anyone who has been intimidated, overwhelmed, or just plain confused by what they think opera is, Who's Afraid of Opera? offers a lively, readable, and frankly biased guide to what author Michael Walsh describes as "the greatest art form yet invented by humankind". From opera's origins in Renaissance Italy to the Who's Tommy and Stephen Sondheim's Into the Woods, Walsh explores what opera is - and what it's not; which is more important - the words or the music?; why does it take Tristan so long to die?; a (Not Quite) Totally Arbitrary Basic Repertoire; and what makes a great singer. So curtain up! It's time to settle into your seat, close up your program, and watch the house lights go down. And get ready for the musical ride of your lives.