The Good Opera Guide

Sir Denis Forman

ISBN 10: 0297815016 / ISBN 13: 9780297815013

Published by Weidenfeld & Nicolson, 1994

About this Item

The Good Opera Guide This book is in very good condition and will be shipped within 24 hours of ordering. The cover may have some limited signs of wear but the pages are clean, intact and the spine remains undamaged. This book has clearly been well maintained and looked after thus far. Money back guarantee if you are not satisfied. See all our books here, order more than 1 book and get discounted shipping. .

Seller Inventory # 7719-9780297815013

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The Good Opera Guide
• Publisher: Weidenfeld & Nicolson
• Publication Date: 1994
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0297815016
• ISBN 13: 9780297815013
• Binding: Hardcover
• Condition: Very Good

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.

About the Author

Sir Denis Forman was born in 1917 and was for many years Charman and Chief Executive of Granada Television. He was also Deputy Chairman of the Royal Opera House for nine years.