The Collins Guide to Opera and Operetta

Opera and Operettas is an invaluable guide to this fascinating but sometimes misunderstood art form, presenting key information on 180 major operas and operettas. Accessible yet informed, entries for each opera include: composer, librettist, and first performance; principal characters and plot synopsis; musical approach and highlights; recommended recordings; and diverting background information, reviews, and anecdotes. The guide also includes a brief biography and a list of operas for each composer, an overview of the history and development of the art form, and a glossary of musical terms. Ranging from the 17th century to the present day, this is an indispensable guide for devotees and newcomers alike. Michael White is one of Britain's best-known music critics; he is the author of Wagner for Beginners.

These upbeat, useful home references have similar formats, with entries for each opera, operetta, or musical listing composer, librettist, date of first performance, principal characters, plot, critical commentary, musical highlights, a random fact about the composer or production, and at least one recommended recording. Musicals lists 180 shows alphabetically, with an appendix of composer and lyricist biographies. It occasionally recommends filmed versions of the shows and includes information about original casts, both American and British. Opera and Operettas is arranged alphabetically and includes 77 composers, from John Adams to Bernd Alois Zimmermann, more than half having lived at least part of their lives in the 20th century. It includes biographical information at the beginning of each composer entry. Principal operas by each composer are listed, though only selected major operas are described at length. An essay on the history of each genre opens each book. British pride comes through in the opera book?and with 20th-century operas by Britten, Tippett, Walton, Birtwistle, Maxwell Davies, and others, it would be hard for a British publication on opera not to show pride. Naturally, the shows in Musicals are mostly by Americans. Well designed, reasonably priced, and written in lively styles by informed British music critics who respect their audiences, these books will delight lovers of opera and musicals. They are, however, perfect-bound and will probably not stand up to hard use. Libraries should regard them as supplementary items.?Bonnie Jo Dopp, Univ. of Maryland Lib., College Park
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