The NPR Curious Listener's Guide to Opera

Overview

Everything you need to know about opera, from Puccini to Porgy and Bess Why opera has stood the test of time The major composers: Mozart, Wagner, Verdi, Puccini, and Strauss The legendary singers, from the divas of the past to todayrs"s Three Tenors What to look for and listen to when attending an opera This comprehensive companion to opera will guide you through the lush history of the art, its many stylistic variations, and its basic theoretical underpinnings. Accessible to the novice and enlightening for the operaphile, it features a survey of classic operas, mini biographies of major composers and singers, and a glossary of terms -as well as a list of 30 of the most important opera CDs that should be in everyoners"s collection. Explore the most passionate of art forms, from the rigor of Rigoletto to the electricity of Elektra.

Editorial Reviews

With the imprimatur of National Public Radio, these entries constitute an auspicious beginning to a new series that will total four titles (those on jazz and classical music will be released in fall 2002). Berger (Verdi with a Vengeance, Wagner Without Fear) and ragtime pianist Morath obviously have great affection for and knowledge of their subjects. Directed to lay readers, their witty and informative handbooks include introductory frameworks; historical development and contexts; short biographical treatment of major figures such as composers, performers, and conductors; a "deconstruction" section interpreting the genre; a glossary; details on the major songs or operas; discographies (30 suggested CDs in Opera and 75 in Popular Standards); and selected resources for further study, including web sites. The opinionated remarks (Morath writes that Louis Armstrong is "the twentieth century's dominant figure in American music") and recording choices are sure to provoke comments among aficionados. Facts are generally reliable, explanations are assured, and the sidebars are especially interesting. The Morath volume nicely complements William Zinsser's recent Easy To Remember: The Great American Songwriters and Their Songs (LJ 2/1/01), while Berger's provides a contrast to opinions offered in books like Michael Walsh's Who's Afraid of Opera (S. & S., 1994). With their affordability and upbeat tone, both guides are enthusiastically recommended for public libraries. (Indexes not seen.) Barry Zaslow, Miami Univ. Libs., Oxford, OH Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information. -- PUBLISHERS WEEKLY.

Author Information

Bio of William Berger

William Berger was born in California and studied Romance languages and music at the University of California at Santa Cruz. He worked for five years at the San Francisco Opera Company, where he acquired for the company's recorded music collection.He is a frequent lecturer and radio commentator and has recently been a regular host for New York Public Radio's Overnight Music. He has written libretti, performance pieces, and articles on a wide variety of topics including architecture, religion, and, of course, music. He is a music host for WNYC radio and lives in New York.

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Additional Info

Imprint

Penguin Group (USA) Incorporated E-Books

Filesize

667.64 KB

Number of Pages

240

eBook ISBN

9780786581764