Customer Reviews

A Passion for Opera: Learning to Love It: The Greatest Masters, Their Greatest Music

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As a relatively new opera lover (opera has only really been in my heart for a couple of years), I felt that it was time to take my love to a new level and really get to know opera better. I've read several other books writen on the subject (so-called guides), and so far this is the one I will most be recommending to fellow enthousiasts.

The first reason is that it is written by someone who genuinely loves opera, and you can feel him smiling as he writes. The composers, librettists, characters, and singers are all old friends that he can't wait to introduce you to.

The second reason is that, despite the length of the book, it is delightfully readable. Smith acts as your tour guide through the world of opera, and along the way he invites you to explore the landscape with him in a tone that makes you feel like you are walking side by side. Along the way he takes many interesting detours which do nothing but enhance the trip. His prose is sometimes conversational, always intelligent and thoughtful. He never throws a bunch of jargon at you, nor does he try to show too much at once. Everything unfolds in a very natural progression.

Finally, the last reason to make this your opera guide is its scope. Of course, for an author to cover everything in opera history would take many volumes, but Smith does a good job of giving adequate attention to the major players in his 700 page book. As Smith himself notes in the preface, it is a book that you can use as a resource to prepare yourself for going to see, say, "Der Rosenkavalier". But it's much more than just a resource book because it's one you'll enjoy reading cover to cover.

I stated that this is an opera guide for the heart and mind, and I meant it. You'll build a pretty solid foundation of knowledge about the opera while simultaniously having the flames of your passion for it fanned. You'll find yourself running out to build your library of cds and libretti, and maybe even checking out the price of season tickets at your local opera house.

A Passion for Opera is exceptionally helpful for a new enthusiast like me. Very down to earth, without all the snobbishness a person might expect. A lively read either page by page, or by skipping around to titles of interest. Thank you Mr. Fox Smith for creating this wonderful book. It has to be in your personal library if you have any affection for Opera in your life.

I am a neophyte to opera. I don't speak Italian, but the emotive quality comes through when I listen to songs sung by Pavoratti and Domingo so I wanted to learn what the stories were about. This book delivered it and is written in a very engaging manner. I do wish it would come out in Kindle format. It is a soft cover book and about 2.5-3 inches thick, so not a book to take to the beach unless you really want to keep your arms muscles flexed!