Customer Reviews

The Da Capo Opera Manual

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Several years after buying this book, I find that I still turn to it first when examining the details of an Opera. It if really is out of print (and I think Amazon is wrong on this point), than it is a criminal shame. This is one of those books that EVERY singer, accompanist, or Opera Lover should have in their library.

The only major downside is that it is not available in a hardbound edition.

The error cited above by "Coloratura" from San Francisco reminded me of a similar problem I encountered years ago. Reviewing a recital by Renata Scotto for the Washington Post, I mentioned that she had sung "O mio babbino caro." Obviously, an editor thought I had misspelled "bambino" and made a "correction." So instead of being addressed to her beloved daddy, the aria--in this review as in Martin's book--was addressed to her beloved baby. Martin's book is unique in its thoroughness and its totally professional, no-nonsense approach to opera, a book by a man on the production end of the art; a book of special interest and value to those involved in making opera happen. It should not be allowed to stay out of print.

As a classical voice student, this is the only book I look to when my teacher mentions a work that I'm unfamiliar with. I have found only one error, and that is in Puccini's Gianni Schicci, Mr. Martin calls Lauretta's aria "O Mio Bambino Caro". The title should be "O Mio Babbino Caro". Call me picky, but there's a big difference in translation.

Nicholas Martin's Da Cappo Opera manual is a rare book. It is both a great reference work AND a great read. Mr. Martin has managed to capture much of the humor present in each of the works, and also has several unique features, including a section on hazards which help the mind visualize the opera when listening to a recording or a broadcast. One great bit of fun is to read off hazards at random and then have your friends identify the opera. (For example... Natives fire arrows, stones and darts at title character. The answer is Roger Session's Montezuma)

A great book.