The Opera Lovers Companion

About this book

Every opera lover enjoys a performance more when accompanied by a knowledgeable friend. In this indispensable guide well-known opera critic Charles Osborne provides exactly that. Osborne fills in the details on 175 of the worlds most frequently performed operas including facts about the composer and the music a plot outline accounts of famous performers and much more. "This book is exactly what the title claims: an opera lovers companion. Reading it is like going to the opera with a knowledgeable friend who tells you enough to make you want to see the piece but not so much youre drowned in superfluous detail."Richard Fawkes Opera Now "What this invaluable book contains is the ideal rundown on 175 operas from Aubers Fra Diavolo to Zimmermans Die Soldaten in each case putting the work in context within the composers development with a list of characters a short synopsis and pointers towards the most imortant arias duets and ensembles all in a personal congenial tone like unto an operatically wise and loving uncle."Denby Richards Musical Opinion An erudite instructive and unpretentious guide.Michael Kennedy The Sunday Telegraph "Its hard to imagine any other book on the subject more informative and helpful to the average enthusiast. . . . This book is one youll cherish."Books in Canada