Customer Reviews

Book of World-Famous Libretti: The Musical Theatre from 1598 to Today

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There is a very helpful body of scholars who focus on the books (the libretti) of the operas, light operas, and musicals we all know and love. Almost all of the attention goes to the composer and the music of the opera, but the libretto is a very important work of art in its own right. Remember, Mendelssohn never wrote an opera because he was never able to find a libretto that provided the kind of text and story he felt he could write for.

This very interesting book provides a photo of the title page and some notes from the earliest published libretto for something like 175 operas. These operas were selected by the author based on their still being the world's repertoire (are they still being performed) and those operas, light operas, or musicals that have special historical importance. The operas here begin in 1598 ("Dafne" by Rinuccini - music by Jacopo Peri) through 1964's "Fiddler on the Roof" by Stein and Harnick (music by Jerry Bock).

You can easily find the operas because they are listed alphabetically by title. There is a helpful introduction that explains the reason and rationale for the work and several supplements. They show the works listed by librettist, by composer, and by chronology.

I am very glad to have this book on my shelf and it will help me dig a bit deeper in understanding the book of these musical works. Remember, this is not a book of libretto summaries, but is instead a book about the earliest versions of the published libretto, where they are, their characteristics, and so forth.

Reviewed by Craig Matteson, Ann Arbor, MI

The is a work for operatic technicians, not casual listeners. It is a well researched work of how to identify when you've found the original version of a libretto. I had hoped to find the opera's "words"= libretto. Opera naivete'on my part. The sales description needs to be revised or expanded.

This book is interesting, clear, and in-depth in its research of the origins of music libretti. Fuld is an important addition to my library and would serve those with an interest in the background of music production exceptionally.