Dear Rogue: A Biography of the American Baritone Lawrence Tibbett (Opera Biography Series, No. 6) [ILLUSTRATED] (Hardcover)

by Hertzel Weinstat (Author), Bert Wechsler (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
The first American male singer to reach the top ranks of opera without European study, Lawrence Tibbett was a star of the Metropolitan Opera for almost 20 years.(b)Published at $34.95(br)Our last copies available at $17.49(/b)(br)

Product Details

• Hardcover: 283 pages
• Publisher: Hal Leonard Corporation; illustrated edition edition (April 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1574670085
• ISBN-13: 978-1574670080
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 5.9 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,424,114 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful biography of a great singer, June 2, 2006

By	Voice Lover (Durham, NC) - See all my reviews

I've read a considerable number of biographies of great opera singers and this has to rank as one of the best. It is told in a forthright manner and actually makes it possible to visualize the singer and his personality. Tibbett was a very great singer and a great man as well during the best periods of his life (not much of a father though). The authors describe his abilities extremely well and cover his life very thoroughly from his childhood and early successes to his eventual downfall. Tibbett's later vocal problems and then social and physical decline made the last part of the book somewhat depressing, but the authors seemed to be trying to cover these parts honestly. I would very highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to know more about this singer.

This book does lack a discography unfortunately, but that is to be found in a companion volume by the same publisher.

I would also strongly suggest that any reader listen to a number of Tibbett's recordings to understand how truly great a singer and performer he was.

5.0 out of 5 stars Lawrence Tibbett biography, November 12, 2008

By	Pony "Dark Horse Music" (Paris) - See all my reviews

This is an outstanding look at the life of the opera super star Lawrence Tibbett. I could not put it down. Weinstadt & Wechsler do wonderful justice to this singer and complicated man who had a rags to riches to disgrace life. At the same time time paint a colorful picture of the world he grew up in; a father killed by outlaws in the old west, raised by his mother, tumultuous marriages and love affairs with movie stars all at the height of one of the heaviest of performing schedules. His fame could be compared to Caruso's and one that no baritone has reached since. This lifestyle, fame and alcoholism destroyed him and his popularity to the point where he was virtually forgotten. Great read for opera fans, music fans and movie buffs.