Nelson Eddy: The Opera Years

by Sharon Rich

The most complete and accurate coverage of Nelson Eddy's early career ever published! Before becoming a movie star, Nelson was an opera star. This photo-filled book is a study of that career and a compilation of virtually every review written about him from 1922 until 1935, when his success in the MGM musical "Naughty Marietta" convinced him that his future was in Hollywood. Included are clippings from his personal scrapbooks with his handwritten notations and many rare photographs, all his operas (including some tenor and bass roles), his oratorios, radio, earliest interviews and insight into his youthful romances. A bonus chapter includes Jeanette MacDonald's opera career (1943-45), plus coverage and rare photos of their operatic scenes in the lost "Tosca" Act II from Maytime. Also, there are excerpts from an unproduced movie script written by Nelson on the life of Feodor Chaliapin, in which he had planned to play dual roles--Chaliapin and himself.This book was the #2 Best Seller on Booksurge.com for 4 weeks in March 2002.

200 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 26, 2001