Written by an opera insider and featuring an introduction by Placido Domingo, here is a thorough, friendly, and truly complete guide to learning how to love and appreciate the opera. After a brief history of opera, the book includes a guide to operatic terms, a minute-by-minute listener's guide to 11 central works, a list of recommended books and recordings and much more.
Opera 101: A Complete Guide to Learning and Loving Opera
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Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com Review
Just as the title says, this is a basic primer on what opera is, what to look for and what to listen to. There is nothing stuffy in Plotkin's style, which is clear and idiomatic. The book also boasts a foreword by supertenor Placido Domingo.
Review
Newcomers to opera receive a fine guide to learning about opera appreciation, written by a performance manager for the Metropolitan Opera. Eleven famous operas are reviewed in a step-by-step listener's guide which covers the basics of learning about the opera's form, style, and scene challenges. -- Midwest Book Review
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
120 of 123 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This book is in effect a great "do it yourself" course on opera.
The first chapter is a history of opera. The second discusses the mechanics of opera - the various types of singers and concepts involved in opera. Next is a chapter on the mechanics of attending an opera, buying tickets, what to beware, etc.
The real heart of the book, though, is the eleven chapters covering eleven different operas. As you progress through them, you learn about new concepts such as the use of music to evoke emotion, french opera, grand opera, etc. By carefully choosing the sequence, Plotkin is careful to reveal opera's mystery in a way that will bring listeners in rather than turning them off. Plotkin also suggests a particular recording for each opera as a way of introducing different singers and conductors as well. In contrast to others, Plotkin uses the entire opera - not merely highlights.
As a companion, I'd suggest Denis Foreman's A Night at the Opera, which is a highly informative, although highly opinionated, reference guide to all the major operas.
64 of 67 people found the following review helpful
By Zeldock
Format:Paperback
*Opera 101* should be the perfect book for you if you know you want to learn more about opera but are having trouble "getting" it. The book is written by an opera expert in a light but intelligent style, and it assumes that the reader comes to it with nothing more than a genuine desire to learn and some money to spend on recordings. After a short intro chapter, Fred Plotkin begins with a 90-page history of opera that even seasoned opera-goers (of which I am one, I suppose) should find instructive. Plotkin then provides an excellent chapter on opera singers and the nuts-and-bolts of attending an opera. Almost all of the rest of the book is taken up with in-depth "lessons" on eleven key operas, each chosen to expand the reader's understanding in a certain direction. Although each of these lessons is designed for you to use while studying a particular recording of each opera, they are highly instructive if you have a recording other than the one Plotkin recommends, or even if you have no recording available at all. I would recommend this book to any serious beginner.
48 of 51 people found the following review helpful
By Judge Knott
Format:Paperback
Having read about a dozen books that tout themselves as introductions to opera, I found "Opera 101" to be perhaps the most intriguing of the bunch. In an ever-so-slight way, it is at times a bit preachy and a bit overobvious. You will feel occasionally like you are in a high-school music appreciation class, or reading an operating manual. On the other hand, Plotkin leaves absolutely nothing out, and no stone unturned, and for that he is to be commended. Every possible question is answered, and answered thoroughly. In addition, the appendices are chock full o' valuable information (a list of all the major and mid-major opera houses all over the world; books for further reading; recommended CD recordings and DVD filmings; etc.). And you have the feeling at all times that Ploktin knows what he's talking about.
This is the PERFECT book for any adult who knows absolutely zilch about opera but who wants to learn it all, and learn it all out of a single source.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Opera 101 - or Opera for Dummies
I am very excited to finally have a book that will gently guide me through the nuances of opera. I've had a love/hate relationship with Opera for years, mostly due to my own... Read more
Published 6 months ago by Caroyl Nobile
5.0 out of 5 stars
Perfect!
This book was exactly what I needed and expected. I know nothing about opera but wanted to expand my understanding in this area. Read more
Published 7 months ago by lifelong learner
5.0 out of 5 stars
revisiting an old favorite
I was looking up the HTML for this book to pass along to a friend -- as I have done for many -- and realized I never reviewed it. Read more
Published 22 months ago by D. Feder
3.0 out of 5 stars
Not bad, but could have been better
This is an entertaining read, and it contains a lot of interesting information. The book effectively communicates the author's enthusiasm for his subject, and it will make you want... Read more
Published on November 11, 2010 by Glitzer
2.0 out of 5 stars
Plotkin's wish for return to the days of opera as elitist pastime
I can't possibly recommend "Opera 101"; it's full of Plotkin's patented elitist snark. Basically he hates anything that makes opera more accessible, including the supertitles. Read more
Published on September 24, 2010 by Jack W. McKee
5.0 out of 5 stars
"Opera 101: A Complete Guide to Learning & Loving Opera" by Fred...
I first read parts of this work at the library, and was so interested in having the information at my fingertips that I wanted my own copy. Read more
Published on September 19, 2009 by Opal Rose
5.0 out of 5 stars
Grand Intro to Opera
Takes an opera novice through understanding what opera is all about with discussions of key operas throughout history. Read more
Published on November 2, 2008 by P. J. Paulin
5.0 out of 5 stars
Night at the Opera Fun and Informative
A great overview of over 100 operas - the plot, composers, artists, background news and gossip in a vey interesting and sometimes humorous style. Read more
Published on December 17, 2007 by Lynne
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great book, but there are hidden costs.
"Opera 101" is well written, easy to understand, and very informative. I wish every subject had a reference book so excellent. Read more
Published on January 26, 2006 by Wish Monster
5.0 out of 5 stars
Glad to see this book well-received
It is most heartening to see that opera lovers and novices almost universally agree that this book is excellent, informative, and illuminating. Read more
Published on December 21, 2004 by John C. Wood
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