The Complete Operas Of Puccini (Da Capo Paperback) [Paperback]

Charles Osborne (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 22, 1983 | Series: Da Capo Paperback

While Puccini wrote only twelve operas during a long life—three of them one-acters designed to be performed together—he has to be ranked today as the world’s most popular composer of opera. His La Bohème and Tosca are more frequently performed in the major opera houses than works by other composers, and Madame Butterfly and Manon Lescaut rank not far behind. What is the explanation for Puccini's enormous success? How do his operas work as music and drama? What was he like to contemporaries such as Verdi, Toscanini, and Caruso? Charles Osborne, author of highly successful Complete Operas of Verdi and Complete Operas of Mozart, here analyzes the entire Puccini oeuvre—from Tosca and Turandot to the less-often performed Edgar, La Fanciulla del West, and La Rondine. His fourfold approach—linking biography with musical, textual, and dramatic analysis—is especially valuable for Puccini, who revealed many of his personal contradictions in his music and whose sense of detail can be appreciated by close study of the scores and characters. For the legions of Puccini lovers everywhere, this guide to his life and work can serve as an ideal reference source and opera companion.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Charles Osborne, well-known British musicologist, critic, and broadcaster, is the author of The Concert Companion, Richard Wagner and His World, The Complete Operas of Verdi, The Complete Operas of Mozart, and other works.

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Da Capo Press (August 22, 1983)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0306802007
• ISBN-13: 978-0306802003
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #197,309 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Indispensable., December 17, 2010

By 

Harold Lanier "dr rhythm" (houston tx) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Complete Operas Of Puccini (Da Capo Paperback) (Paperback)

Mr. Osborne's books are indispensable for opera lovers as well as opera professionals. They are full of pertinent academic information presented in a format and with a style that makes them really pleasant reading. I use them in my vocal coaching studio as well as for preparing talks about operas. I have never not enjoyed reading or re-reading a word he writes. he gives you a little about what was happening in the composer's life when he was writing the opera. You get a sense of the context from which the pieces were created. I would love to met this man. His passion for the art-form, and his commitment to sharing it with everyone regardless of their prior familiarity are extraordinary.