[Two Items] The New Grove Book of Operas [together with] The Grove Concise Dictionary of Music.

SADIE, STANLEY, EDITOR.

ISBN 10: 0333651073 / ISBN 13: 9780333651070

Published by Macmillan 1996;1994, London, 1996

About this Item

758 & 909 pp.; cloth, in dust-jackets. Opera, with many illustrations including color plates.

Seller Inventory # 9289

Bibliographic Details

• Title: [Two Items] The New Grove Book of Operas [together with] The Grove Concise Dictionary of Music.
• Publisher: Macmillan 1996;1994, London
• Publication Date: 1996
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0333651073
• ISBN 13: 9780333651070
• Binding: Hardcover
• Condition: Fine
• Dust Jacket Condition: Fine
• Seller catalogs:
  • Music

About this title

Synopsis

This book combines meticulous scholarship with a lightness of touch that will delight the opera-goer. The fascinating illustrations bring an amusing dimension showing how opera has been staged from its beginnings to modern 'deconstructed' productions. The operas are listed in alphabetical order. In addition to a full synopsis of every plot, there is a cast list and a note of the singers in the original production, as well as information about the origins of the work and its literary and social background. Each contribution concludes with a brief comment on its place in operatic history. There is also a listing by composer, a glossary and indexes of the names of operatic characters and the first lines of arias; so if you are not sure which opera Gilda or Agathe, sings in, or are apt to confuse Vespina with Despina, your problem is quickly solved.

Review

The cover blurb calls The New Grove Book of Operas, "The world's definitive single volume of opera reference," and for once the hype is right on the money. The plot synopses are well done, with musical notes and historic background, some nice illustrations, and three very useful appendices: a fine and complete glossary; an index of role names; and an "Index of Incipits," or first lines, for hundreds of arias, choruses, and ensembles. This may well be the best English-language opera reference available.