At the Opera: Tales of the Great Operas

As the lights dim and the curtain rises, At the Opera transports us with the passion and high drama of our best-loved and most frequently performed operas. Elegantly bound in rich red silk, it presents the stories of over 30 renowned works, accompanied by lush illustrations by artist Peter Malone that glow with theatrical charm. From Mozart's sunny Figaro to Puccini's moon goddess Turandot, the plots and counterplots that drive the great operas are told with grace and zest in a volume as opulent as its subject. Each telling is packed with delicious details and wry humor, complemented with gossip and theatre lore. A must-have for opera fans and a delightful introduction for those attending their first performance, At the Opera is a front-row seat for the best of music and drama.

Ann Fiery is a writer and editor in Berkeley, California.

Peter Malone is a full-time illustrator who enjoys painting in gouache. His work has appeared in The Times and The New Yorker . He lives with his wife and two young daughters in the United Kingdom.