A guide to 47 operas from the 18th and 19th centuries, this text provides a synopsis for each opera with an introduction singling out the particular strengths and flaws of the piece, its antecedents, innovations, and controversial intepretations of it. The text does not assume the ability to read music. Instead, it emphasizes key words that can be heard and understood in performance. The aim of this is to clue the reader into the action. At the end of each act, these words are listed in the original language, in phonetic transliteration, and translation. Timings are given for numbers, scenes and Acts.;The early part of the book includes chapters on the overture, melody, aria and recitative, the human voice, the opera orchestra, tuning, the claque, castrati, ballet in opera, and various aspects of opera history.
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5.0 out of 5 stars
REVIEW OF CURRENT EDITION OF OPERA COMPANION,
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This review is from: The Opera Companion (Paperback)
THIS BOOK IS A VERY HANDY AND INFORMATIVE GUIDE FOR NOVICE OPERA LOVERS. IT SHOULD HELP TO MAKE GOING TO THE OPERA A VERY ENJOYABLE AND ENLIGHTENING EXPERIENCE.
MY ONLY DISAPPOINTMENT WAS TO FIND THAT A FEATURE THAT I NOTED IN THE '60'S EDITION WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THIS BOOK. I SEEM TO RECALL THAT THE EARLIER ONE HAD MORE TRANSLATIONS OF MAJOR ARIAS INTO ENGLISH, ALONG WITH THE ORIGINAL LIBRETTO LANQUAGE. I THOUGHT THIS WAS VERY HELPFUL AND WAS A REASON I RUSHED TO ORDER THIS BOOK. IT'S STILL A VERY GOOD REFERENCE GUIDE FOR ANYONE INTERESTED IN LEARNING ABOUT OPERA.
0 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The ultimate guide for opera lovers,
By Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The Opera Companion (Paperback)
The ultimate guide for opera lovers, whether they be hardcore or casual, is here. "The Opera Companion" is a complete and comprehensive guide to nearly fifty of the most commonly performed operas in America, complete with synopses, descriptions of music, composers, and so much more. Examining each opera with great scrutiny, it keeps in touch that some of its readers may not be as well versed as the most devoted of opera fans. "The Opera Companion" is a must for any opera fanatic or anyone looking to get into the art form.
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artistic instrument, casual operagoer, most operagoers, lirico spinto, first public opera house, long aria, public opera houses, death potion, opera seria, operatic voice, offstage chorus Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Don Giovanni, Don Carlo, Des Grieux, Don Pasquale, The Casual Operagoer's Guide, Don Alfonso, Donna Elvira, Die Walkuere, Donna Anna, King Henry, Lady Macbeth, Manon Lescaut, The Operatic Voice, Sounds of the Orchestra, History of Opera, Gianni Schicchi, Don Ottavio, Don Basilio, Queen of Night, Boris Godunov, Prince Shuiski, Simon Boccanegra, Die Meistersinger, Mamma Lucia, Richard Strauss Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
artistic instrument, casual operagoer, most operagoers, lirico spinto, first public opera house, long aria, public opera houses, death potion, opera seria, operatic voice, offstage chorus Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Don Giovanni, Don Carlo, Des Grieux, Don Pasquale, The Casual Operagoer's Guide, Don Alfonso, Donna Elvira, Die Walkuere, Donna Anna, King Henry, Lady Macbeth, Manon Lescaut, The Operatic Voice, Sounds of the Orchestra, History of Opera, Gianni Schicchi, Don Ottavio, Don Basilio, Queen of Night, Boris Godunov, Prince Shuiski, Simon Boccanegra, Die Meistersinger, Mamma Lucia, Richard Strauss Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
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