Opera Mediagraphy lists operas released as motion pictures, both as theatrical feature films on 35mm film and educational films on 16mm film and videorecordings, including the VHS videotape format and optical video laser disc, though restricted to those that have been released in the United States in the American television standard video called NTSC (National Television Standards Committee). In addition to all possible information available concerning each opera, citations to reviews are included from over twenty-two sources ranging from opera journals to video review periodicals to general publications. Each review is given a rating based on the mediagrapher's reading and interpretation of the reviewer's intent. This scholarly listing will be of interest to academic and public libraries as well as to individual opera fans.
Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From Booklist
Included in this work are operas released as motion pictures (35mm feature films and 16mm educational films) and video recordings (VHS and optical laser disc) through March 1993. Nearly all titles are currently available for purchase or rental. Standard titles are used, usually in the language of the original, with some see references. The main listing is alphabetical by title, which allows for easy comparison of different versions of the same work. For example, there are seven each of Mozart's Barber of Seville and Puccini's La Boh{Š}eme.
Elements of entries are composer, date of production, primary distributor, type of work (stage or television), place and specific date of performance, running time, audio (stereo or mono), color or black and white, language, subtitles (if any), director, and other credits or details pertinent to the production (sets, costumes, etc.). Following is a list of cast (character name and singer/performer name), conductor, orchestra, chorus, and ballet. A valuable feature is the listing of reviews of the performance with complete citation to the source (e.g., Opera News) and marks ranging from "highly recommended" to "poor quality." The introduction lists the 22 review sources cited with a short description of each. Appendix A lists out-of-print or relatively inaccessible operas, and appendix B gives distributor addresses. There are indexes of singers and conductors; composers; and opera companies. The author is head of the media library at the University of North Texas.
Briefer information about operas on video can be found in Opera Performances in Video Format [RBB Je 15 92], a checklist of 270 videos arranged by composer and opera title. Entries give cast members, running time, language, format, and distributor. Indexes are by title, performer, ensemble, and performance site.
Opera Mediagraphy will be popular in academic libraries and public libraries with patrons who are opera fans. If price is a concern, Opera Performances in Video Format is an alternate choice.
Review
“...A useful, well-executed selection aid for a type of material not systematically dealt with elsewhere. All in-print and some out-of-print, videos in US format are listed for each opera, as are all available motion picture and laser disks. Recommended for all academic library reference sections.”–Choice
“An original reference work, documenting operas transferred to film or videotape, arranged in alphabetical order with full credits, bibliographic references, and information as to video release or archival source. The works are indexed by singers and conductors, composers and production types. The book is of value to opera lovers and as a library resource. It is also worth noting that many of the titles listed here are probably difficult to document in any of the standard reference sources.”–Classic Images
“A very welcome addition to a relatively new corner of music bibliography. Opera Mediagraphy lists operas issued in film (16 and 35mm) and video (videotape or laser disk) formate. The entries are attractively laid out and easy to read and include a description of the original production (stage, TV, film), technical specifications (sound, color, duration), and language (including subtitles). The cast lists are complete and match performers to their roles. Especially welcome is the inclusion of citations for reviews drawn from more than twenty-two published sources.”–RQ Summer 1994
“...an excellent source of information for anyone working with a video collection. The information contained within each entry and the layout are consistent and easy to read. The book can be used as a collection development tool for libraries developing a video collection or by individuals building a collection of their own.”–Notes
“An original reference work, documenting operas transferred to film or videotape, arranged in alphabetical order with full credits, bibliographic references, and information as to video release or archival source. The works are indexed by singers and conductors, composers and production types. The book is of value to opera lovers and as a library resource. It is also worth noting that many of the titles listed here are probably difficult to document in any of the standard reference sources.”–
“A very welcome addition to a relatively new corner of music bibliography. Opera Mediagraphy lists operas issued in film (16 and 35mm) and video (videotape or laser disk) formate. The entries are attractively laid out and easy to read and include a description of the original production (stage, TV, film), technical specifications (sound, color, duration), and language (including subtitles). The cast lists are complete and match performers to their roles. Especially welcome is the inclusion of citations for reviews drawn from more than twenty-two published sources.”–
“...an excellent source of information for anyone working with a video collection. The information contained within each entry and the layout are consistent and easy to read. The book can be used as a collection development tool for libraries developing a video collection or by individuals building a collection of their own.”–
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