Kristen W. (Piper52) reviewed on 10/25/2008 + 7 more book reviews

Helpful Score: 2

This is a great book for the opera novice; also, if you are not a huge opera fan but enjoy going once in a while, this is perfect for you. Most operas that are currently produced are in the book, so if you are heading out to "Tosca" for instance, and have no idea what it's about, you can read a few entertaining (sometimes even gossipy) paragraphs about the history and context of the piece, and then move on to an act-by-act synopsis which gives an excellent sense of the story, characters, and musical themes you will hear, all in just a few pages.

Voila! you are now ready to enjoy the opera without peering at your program in the dark to read the plot summary, while simultaneously trying to figure out what on earth "E lucevan le stelle" means in English.

("The stars were shining brightly.")

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