The New Grove Book of Operas
Publisher: Trans-Atlantic Publications
Published: December 1996
Language: eng
Format: Hardcover
Number of pages: 800
ISBN-13: 9780333651070
Subjects: Opera; Reference works; Genres & Styles - Opera; Music; Music/Songbooks
Description: This book combines meticulous scholarship with a lightness of touch that will delight the opera-goer. The fascinating illustrations bring an amusing dimension showing how opera has been staged from its beginnings to modern 'deconstructed' productions.

The operas are listed in alphabetical order. In addition to a full synopsis of every plot, there is a cast list and a note of the singers in the original production, as well as information about the origins of the work and its literary and social background. Each contribution concludes with a brief comment on its place in operatic history.

There is also a listing by composer, a glossary and indexes of the names of operatic characters and the first lines of arias; so if you are not sure which opera Gilda or Agathe, sings in, or are apt to confuse Vespina with Despina, your problem is quickly solved.