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Opera 101: A Complete Guide to Learning and Loving Opera
 
 
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Opera 101: A Complete Guide to Learning and Loving Opera (Paperback)

by Fred Plotkin (Author), Placido Domingo (Introduction)
4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (21 customer reviews)

List Price: $16.95
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Opera 101: A Complete Guide to Learning and Loving Opera + 100 Great Operas And Their Stories: Act-By-Act Synopses + Opera for Dummies  (Book and Audio CD)
Price For All Three: $44.97

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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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Product Details

  • Paperback: 512 pages
  • Publisher: Hyperion; 1st edition (December 1, 1994)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0786880252
  • ISBN-13: 978-0786880256
  • Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.9 x 1.4 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.com Sales Rank: #68,719 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

    Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

    #15 in  Books > Entertainment > Music > Musical Genres > Opera
    #19 in  Books > Entertainment > Sheet Music & Scores > Forms & Genres > Opera
    #69 in  Books > Entertainment > Music > Instruments & Performers > Voice

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Customer Reviews

21 Reviews
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Average Customer Review
4.7 out of 5 stars (21 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
92 of 95 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Great way to learn opera!, September 28, 2000
By dcreader (Washington DC area) - See all my reviews
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.

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47 of 50 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent introduction for the serious beginner., April 14, 2003
By John P. (Kennett Square, PA USA) - See all my reviews
*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.
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32 of 35 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Operating manual for opera attendance, January 14, 2004
By Judge Knott "judge_knott" (Upper West Side, NY, NY) - See all my reviews
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.

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

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 8 months ago 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 19 months ago by Lynne D. Maggiore

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

4.0 out of 5 stars Highly Recommended for a Newcomer to Opera
If you are on the fence and want to dive into opera, but feel intimidated or confused by it, this book is essential. Mr. Read more
Published on November 20, 2004 by L. Bloomstein

5.0 out of 5 stars Enjoy it while you learn and love opera
An excellent book for those new to Opera. It is a true guide to learn and love Opera. The book contains a brief history of Opera, plus a chapter to understand its basic elements... Read more
Published on May 6, 2003

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect Beginner's Book
If you're curious about Opera, and wonder "just what is it that gets all these people so passionate? Sounds like caterwauling to me. Read more
Published on September 13, 2002 by Joyce Awramik

5.0 out of 5 stars A Book Worth Reading and Keeping!
For a person who wants to learn something about opera in an interesting, yet not too technical manner....this is the book! Read more
Published on June 5, 2002 by pdquick

4.0 out of 5 stars A Solid Introduction
I've found this book extremely helpful, and a opera-lover friend of mine looked it over and agreed that it looked like a worthy introduction to the subject (though he would have... Read more
Published on December 24, 2001 by S. L. Mintz

4.0 out of 5 stars Not Just for the Novice
Plotkin's guide is an excellent short course for anyone new to the art form, but it is also helpful to the experienced listener who has not seen all the information assembled into... Read more
Published on June 25, 2001

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