Living Opera

by Joshua Jampol

Selected as one of the Best Music Books of 2010 by The Independent , here is a wonderful collection of 20 wide-ranging interviews with the preeminent opera singers, conductors, and directors working on and behind the stage today. Joshua Jampol invites opera-lovers to listen in as performers speak in frank terms about their strengths and weaknesses, conductors discuss the state of contemporary opera, and directors talk through the complexities involved in staging a successful production. Jampol has unprecedented access and the table of contents reads like a "who's who" of the global opera world, featuring Fleming, Domingo, Ramey, Villazon, Dessay, Conlon, Salonen, Nagano, Boulez, Carsen, Chéreau, and more. Each interview highlights a distinctive voice speaking about his or her career path, first break, colleagues, major influences, audiences, critics, and all the diverse professions making up the emotional and extravagant world of the lyric arts. Jampol brings immense knowledge and
a wonderful flair to these conversations, allowing his subjects to follow their thoughts wherever they lead, and revealing in the process a more intimate, reflective side of this constellation of operatic stars.

Genres: Music, Nonfiction

330 pages, Paperback

First published April 6, 2010

Reviews

[Jenna · Rating 3 out of 5]

The twenty opera professionals all had very interesting things to say...but I was often embarrassed for the interviewer. He was the only consistent thing from one interview to the next, and I didn't like him. Oh well.

[Mimi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anyone who loves opera, like I do, will love this book. It's a collection of interviews of opera luminaries, some more known than others. The author asks intelligent questions so gets provoking thoughts by the interviewees.

[Naomi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want to own this book. It made me so happy. I am very glad to have read so many different voices and opinions about my art form from people I respect. Also now I REALLY want to meet Plácido Domingo.

[Caroline]

There's no way to review interviews...I just liked reading what these creative and passionate people had to say about their art.

[Marianne Cohen · Rating 2 out of 5]

A collection of interviews with twenty opera professionals

[James · Rating 3 out of 5]

An endearing and heartwarming read into the artistic and personal lives of some operatic artists.

[Virginia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting interviews with thoughtful questions to variety of opera singers and directors.