The Penguin Opera Guide
The Penguin Opera Guide by Amanda Holden, published by Penguin in 1996, is a comprehensive reference work that spans four centuries of operatic history. This second printing edition contains 530 pages and is presented in English. The book features contributions from over fifty international experts, offering insights into more than 150 composers, including renowned figures such as Handel, Mozart, Beethoven, and Verdi, as well as contemporary composers.
Readers will find detailed entries on over 450 operas, which include background information, character details, plot synopses, and musical analyses that highlight key elements of each work. This guide serves as a valuable resource for both opera enthusiasts and newcomers, providing essential information for those preparing to attend performances, listening at home, or exploring operatic recordings. The Penguin Opera Guide is designed to enhance the understanding and appreciation of opera, making it a useful tool for anyone interested in this genre of music.
Official synopsis Publisher
“Spanning four centuries of operatic history and drawing on the expertise of more than fifty international contributors, The Penguin Opera Guide is an essential reference for opera enthusiasts and beginners alike. Each of the more than 150 composer entries – from Handel, Mozart, Beethoven, and Verdi to the most acclaimed contemporary composers – presents an outline of the artist’s musical career and an overall assessment of his or her contributions to opera. There are entries on more than 450 operas, providing a discussion of the work’s background, details of the cast of characters, a plot synopsis, and a musical analysis that directs the listener to highlights and points of interest. Covering both major and little-known composers and tracking the evolution of the operatic form, The Penguin Opera Guide (drawn from the acclaimed Viking Opera Guide) is the perfect companion for those seeking information before attending an opera, a commentary on the music while listening at home, or guidance on operas to see or to purchase on record.”–BOOK JACKET.Title Summary field provided by Blackwell North America, Inc. All Rights Reserved
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