The Good Opera Guide (Phoenix Giants S.)

Forman, Sir Denis

ISBN 10: 1857999738 / ISBN 13: 9781857999730

Published by Weidenfeld & Nicolson History, 1997

About this Item

Most items will be dispatched the same or the next working day. A copy that has been read but remains in clean condition. All of the pages are intact and the cover is intact and the spine may show signs of wear. The book may have minor markings which are not specifically mentioned.

Seller Inventory # rev6739030474

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The Good Opera Guide (Phoenix Giants S.)
• Publisher: Weidenfeld & Nicolson History
• Publication Date: 1997
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1857999738
• ISBN 13: 9781857999730
• Binding: Soft cover
• Condition: Good
• Weight: 1200 grams

About this title

Synopsis

Here is an excerpt of what The Good Opera Guide has to say about Cilea’s Adriana Lecouvreur: “The one about the star of stage and screen whose rival sends her a bouquet of poison gas violets. She sniffs it: snuffs it.”

The Good Opera Guide is not only for regular operagoers but also for people who are new to the world of opera, or indeed people who want to bluff their way through a performance! It is written with humor and is entertaining as well as informative. Where else would you find a “dagger count” for La Gioconda, and have Hansel and Gretel categorized as a “Gingerbread Opera”?

From Adriana Lecouvreur to Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte, for each opera, Sir Denis details the plot and cast of characters, awarding stars to parts that are “worth looking out for,” “really good,” or, occasionally, “stunning.” He goes on to tell the history of each opera and its early reception. Finally, each work is graded from alpha to gamma, and Sir Denis has no qualms about voicing his opinion. The guide also presents brief biographies of the great composers, conductors, and singers. A glossary of musical terms is included, as well as “Operatica,” or the essential elements of opera, from the proper place and style of the audience’s applause (and boos) to the use of subtitles.