100 Great Operas And Their Stories: Act-By-Act Synopses |
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| Title: | 100 Great Operas And Their Stories: Act-By-Act Synopses |
| Author: | Henry W. Simon |
| Publisher: | Anchor |
| Type: | Book / Paperback |
| Publication Date: | 01 May, 1989 |
| ISBN / ISBN-13: | 0385054483 / 9780385054485 |
| List Price: | $17.95 |
| You Save: | $5.74 |
| Amazon Price: | $12.21 |
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This book is also available, brand-new, from 3rd-party marketplace sellers at Amazon.com, from $6.98.
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Editorial Review / Publisher's Information:
Product Description
An invaluable guide for both casual opera fans and afficionados, this volume contains act-by-act descriptions of operatic works ranging from the early seventeenth century masterworks of Monteverdi and Purcell to the modern classics of Menotti and Britten. Written in a lively anecdotal style, entries include character descriptions, historical background, and much more.
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Customer Reviews:
• If You Watch Opera, This Book Is An Essential!
10 January, 2010
I am new to opera but have fallen hard for it! I watched my first opera only 4 months ago at the Met Opera's live transmission in a movie theater. Since then I have watched over 20 operas online and this book has been an essential part of my understanding. My copy already has a bunch of sticky notes and comments written in it.
What to expect from this book:
-Character names (helps you keep everybody straight in those operas with big casts)
-General background information (setting time and place, first performance date, who wrote the music and libretto, and the literature it is based when applicable)
-Some background information about the opera, its creation, its composer and/or librettist(s)
-Act-by-act synopses that help you follow or prepare for the plot
-Brief historical notes when applicable
-Some very light criticism of the score or libretto (I found this insightful and overall agreed with his comments
What NOT to expect from this book:
-Biographies of composers or librettists
-In depth analysis of theme, political or historical context
-Advice about which operas are worth your time and which to skip
-Reviews of peformances or singers
-Reviews of recordings
So basically, this is a good bare-bones book that will get you the information you need to understand the plots. Whether you just always wondered what Aida was about or you are preparing to see a production in person or on video, this guide will be a good addition to your experience. It seems like with 100 operas, you'd find every one you'd want to see and that is overall true but there have been one or two that I was interested in but were not included, including newer operas (no problem - use the web). The writing has not aged AT ALL surprisingly enough. I completely recommend this book.
- Amazon Customer Review
• A Good Reference In Most Cases...
11 December, 2006
I have used this book for many years as a quick reference for studying operas that are new to me, and for that purpose, the book is excellent. Even though the book is limited to 100 entries, I usually find the opera I want to study. My main complaint about this book is the amount of "editorializing" offered by Mr. Simon. He is certainly an expert in opera, but he makes his personal likes and dislikes clear (perhaps the reason why some obscure operas are included...?). He offended me when he described Puccini's masterpiece, La Fanciulla del West, as a "tired" and "second-rate" Italian opera. Many times he crosses the line from well-educated informant to opinionated critic. That said, his writing is very readable and even humorous at times. I simply advise readers to be aware that this book is not entirely a reporting of facts.
- Amazon Customer Review
• Essential For Every Literary Collection
27 May, 2007
Opera deserves a place of honor in any literary collection. It's a proud individual who can say that they know the plot of Lakme or Tales of Hoffman. Even if you haven't seen an opera, get this book, and no one will be the wiser!
- Amazon Customer Review
• Ultimate Opera Lover's Book
14 May, 2009
I knew very little about operas because Herman would never take me to one. I love the music but I wanted to know more about the actual opera and the characters in them. I selected this book because it appears to have all the information one would need to understand and enjoy an opera. It goes so far as to give you the character's vocal ranges and some history on the librettos to boot. This book is timeless, just like me!
- Amazon Customer Review
• Many Good Operas Missing
04 September, 2005
they have included some operas i never heard of ,and did not include some good and popular ones.
- Amazon Customer Review
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