The Dog Who Sang at the Opera [Hardcover]

Marshall Izen (Author), Jim West (Author), Erika Oller (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 2004 | Grade Level: K and up

Pasha, a dog who believes herself to be beautiful and perfect, joins the company of "Manon" at New York's Metropolitan Opera House, but on opening night she cannot resist singing along with the diva.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 4 - Pasha is a proud, haughty Russian wolfhound who learns a lesson in humility. Her owner, an accompanist at the Metropolitan Opera House, is excited that the upcoming performance requires a beautiful dog, and Pasha has been chosen for the role. At dress rehearsal, she snubs Sluggo, the other dog who will appear onstage, as he is dressed as a clown. That night, she dreams of being the center of attention, wearing a dazzling red dress and singing to the audience's applause and shouts of "Brava!" On opening night, Pasha gets so caught up in the music that she begins to sing along with the diva. She is unceremoniously dragged off the stage and informed that her operatic career is over. Shamed, Pasha sits in a corner until Sluggo tells her that he thinks she sang beautifully, especially her high notes. She finally realizes that having a friend is much more satisfying than being a star. Soft, expressive watercolors in a variety of sizes add to the gentle humor of the story. Based on an actual event, this tale is an entertaining introduction to the opera. A newspaper article and a letter from the soprano to Pasha's owner are included. Pair this title with Tess Weaver's Opera Cat (Clarion, 2002) for a lyrical storytime. - Maryann H. Owen, Racine Public Library, WI
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

Gr. 1-3. Spun from a true incident, and with a reprinted story from the New York Times to prove it, the authors reconstruct the story of an unscheduled duet on the stage of the Metropolitan Opera. Pasha, a Russian wolfhound, is thrilled to be tapped for the festival scene in a production of Manon--even though it means sharing space with Sluggo, a cheery, mixed-breed clown dog. Her debut comes to a sudden end, however, when she loses her head and chimes in on an aria. The authors flesh out the event with behind-the-scenes details, plus a tidy close that has Pasha, Sluggo, and their owners taking regular walks together. Oller illustrates it all in colorful, diffuse watercolors that perfectly capture the bustle of an opera company in action and Pasha's slender, elegant lines. A good-humored note from Renee Fleming, the episode's human diva, closes out this memorable night at the opera. John Peters
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Harry N. Abrams (October 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0810949288
• ISBN-13: 978-0810949287
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 8.8 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #869,090 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

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It Ain't Over til the Wolfhound Sings, February 15, 2006

By 

M. Allen Greenbaum (California) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Dog Who Sang at the Opera (Hardcover)

Smug, self-centered, perhaps even spoiled wolfhound "Pasha" is a supercilious Russian Wolfhound bred in Europe, who proclaims herself "une reine" (a queen) and looks "down her long Russian nose" at Sluggo, a cheerful "mix"--all scruffy American cheer--who looks past Pasha's haughty comparisons. "'You're a mutt,' barked Pasha." "'But it's fun being related to lots of different kinds of dogs,' answered Sluggo."

The narrative is particularly well written, with lots of dialogue, characterization, humor, and tension. Illustrator Erika Oller turns in a veritable tour de force, with illustrations that somehow capture the grandeur and sweep of an opera house. Her washes and shadings, contrasted with directional and suffused light, convey the almost mystical aura of live theater. Packed with scenery and singers, Ms. Oller shows that the stage is full of excitement, commotion, and even a little confusion.

In a way, the dogs become symbolic of class and racial differences, of royal Europe and upstart America. The reader may notice that the two dogs' class and "breeding" distinctions find a match in the performers' costumes. Pasha identifies so much with the woman singing of her royal pedigree ("Everyone looks at me because I am beautiful. My beauty makes me a queen.") that she begins to sing. Her howls (and I quote: "Wa-hoo, woo-hooo... Wa-hoo-woo-hooo-woo...") elicit giggles from the audience and she is pulled rather un-royally off the stage. There's your headline about wanted and unwanted attention!

Pasha is dejected. However, Sluggo, a canine equivalent of the archetypal James Cagney figure, reassures her. Comforted, Pasha resumes her royal stance and deigns to say, "Spasibo..." "It's Russian for 'thank you. " Nonplussed Sluggo gets into his 1930's everyman (everydog?) vernacular: "You're welcome', answered Sluggo. "That's English for 'anytime.'" Pasha and Sluggo become friends, although Pasha retains some of her canine-centric ways about her. In yet another amazing Oller picture, Pasha lies listening--all dreamy-eyed--to Metropolitan Opera House broadcasts. "And as she listens, she remembers what a beautiful voice Manon had...for a human."

West and Izen base their book on a truer-than -usual event that occurred on September 26, 1997. The authors were onstage as puppeteers during a Metropolitan Opera House staging of "Manon," and a dog really did begin to howl during the festival scene. "The Dog Who Sang at the Opera" closes with a newspaper article describing "Passion's" interruption of diva Renee Fleming, in which she is quoted as saying "I told the director, `it's the dog or me,'" and stating whether she couldn't decide whether this was the most humiliating or complimentary experience of the opera. Life imitates art! Fortunately, there is a letter (dated October 17, 1997) from Ms. Fleming printed on the penultimate page, in which she explains that not only was her "dog or me" proclamation said tongue in cheek, but that she is a dog lover from way back. "I thought Passion's high notes were at least as good--or perhaps even better--than mine." (Still, I had to love the seemingly imperious attitude of the opera, for there on the very last page of credits and other details is a legal disclaimer: "This book is not authorized, sponsored, or endorsed by the Metropolitan Opera.") This is a wonderfully told story, with a few quietly embedded lessons, and all of it glistens with the emotion and atmosphere of Ms. Oller's watercolors. Very highly recommended for all kids around elementary school age.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Simply Wonderful, December 1, 2005

By 

Sean Taylor - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Dog Who Sang at the Opera (Hardcover)

This book is magic. The story is charming and the illustrations are stunning. I have given the book to all my nephews and nieces and they love it.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Kudos for The Dog Who Sang at the Opera, July 30, 2006

By 

H. Kahan "biko the bee" (fort worth, TX USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Dog Who Sang at the Opera (Hardcover)

This is a great story with beautiful illustrations. Funny, charming, and entertaining for both children and adults. I bought this book for my 73 year old father who has a love of the opera and dogs. He loved it!