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Opera Wars: Inside the World of Opera and the Battles for Its Future
Not yet published
Expected 13 Jan 26 Blunt, irreverent, and at times wittily subversive, Opera Wars spotlights opera’s colorful and sometimes warring personalities, increasingly fierce controversies over content, and the battles being waged for its economic future.
Drawing on interviews with dozens of opera insiders—as well as her own experience as an award-winning librettist, trained vocalist, opera company director, and arts commentator—Caitlin Vincent deftly unravels clichés and presumptions, exposing such debates as how much fidelity is owed to long-dead opera composers whose plots often stir racial and gender sensitivities, whether there’s any cure for typecasting that leaves talented performers out of work and other performers chained to the same roles, and what explains the bizarre kowtowing of opera companies to the demands of traditionalist patrons.
Vincent never shrinks from depicting the industry’s top-to-bottom messiness and its stubborn resistance to change. Yet, like a lover who can’t quite break away, she always comes back to her veneration for the artform and in these pages stirringly evokes those moments on stage that can be counted on to make ardent fans of the most skeptical.
Drawing on interviews with dozens of opera insiders—as well as her own experience as an award-winning librettist, trained vocalist, opera company director, and arts commentator—Caitlin Vincent deftly unravels clichés and presumptions, exposing such debates as how much fidelity is owed to long-dead opera composers whose plots often stir racial and gender sensitivities, whether there’s any cure for typecasting that leaves talented performers out of work and other performers chained to the same roles, and what explains the bizarre kowtowing of opera companies to the demands of traditionalist patrons.
Vincent never shrinks from depicting the industry’s top-to-bottom messiness and its stubborn resistance to change. Yet, like a lover who can’t quite break away, she always comes back to her veneration for the artform and in these pages stirringly evokes those moments on stage that can be counted on to make ardent fans of the most skeptical.
- GenresHistoryMusicNonfiction
304 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication January 13, 2026
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3432 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
September 29, 2025
As an opera enthusiast, a college professor looking for ways to explain opera as a genre to my students (and encourage them to give this art form a chance), and an amateur curious about the lives of opera professionals and business decisions behind various opera seasons, I ABSOLUTELY LOVED AND NEEDED THIS BOOK! It is written by an insider, who not only drew on her own experience but interviewed multiple professionals. I was eager to learn about "behind-the-scenes" that Vincent describes, including an honest portrayal of economic reality of aspiring opera singers. At the same time, the author's language is light and approachable and I won't hesitate to assign the chapter about the history of the opera as one of my class readings for the "Intro to Humanities" class. This book is just what I needed as I'm preparing my syllabus about opera and I'm very much looking forward to its official publication (at which point I'll update my review for additional details).
I thank Netgalley and Scribner for a free ARC for an honest review, and Caitlin Vincent for masterfully describing this important topic: I had trouble finding approachable and informative books about opera, to be honest, and this is a very refreshing take that (in addition to history, etc) includes contemporary problems in the opera world!
I thank Netgalley and Scribner for a free ARC for an honest review, and Caitlin Vincent for masterfully describing this important topic: I had trouble finding approachable and informative books about opera, to be honest, and this is a very refreshing take that (in addition to history, etc) includes contemporary problems in the opera world!
October 17, 2025
Vincent's introduction to opera production centers on eight (interconnected) conflicts in the titular wars. This structure has three main impacts: it allows her to introduce newcomers to the world of opera, it provides an opportunity for historicization and politicization for regulars, and it allows her to intervene in the debates themselves. The book has broad appeal, but never sacrifices depth or willingness to take a position. Whether you like or dislike opera, it is well worth a read.
Thanks to Simon & Schuster for the opportunity to read the advance copy.
Thanks to Simon & Schuster for the opportunity to read the advance copy.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
ARC received from NetGalley
My review:
I recently was in a local performance of Pirates of Penzance so I had fun reading this one. Reading about the history and current outlook of the opera world was fascinating. About the warring factions of the traditionalists and those who want to revise the old works and introduce new works. I especially enjoyed where it details the process of what it takes to become a professional opera singer.
The negatives, for me, are the unnecessary profanity and the lengthy and contradictory DEI arguments. The argument seems to be casting must be color-blind but also not simultaneously. Right....
Overall, if you enjoy opera, singing, music, or theatre, this is an interesting read.
My review:
I recently was in a local performance of Pirates of Penzance so I had fun reading this one. Reading about the history and current outlook of the opera world was fascinating. About the warring factions of the traditionalists and those who want to revise the old works and introduce new works. I especially enjoyed where it details the process of what it takes to become a professional opera singer.
The negatives, for me, are the unnecessary profanity and the lengthy and contradictory DEI arguments. The argument seems to be casting must be color-blind but also not simultaneously. Right....
Overall, if you enjoy opera, singing, music, or theatre, this is an interesting read.
December 28, 2025
I have been going to opera since I was five years old. My father played Mozart and Handel opera in the car for me on the way to kindergarten as part of a coordinated brain washing campaign so he would have an opera buddy. The origin of this review blog is actually writing reviews of operas we saw in Europe when we took a grand opera tour. So I was thrilled when I got this ARC from NetGalley to review. The plot twist is that I’m not actually the target audience for this book. The second plot twist (plot helix? Plot untwist?) is that I really enjoyed it anyway.
Vincent’s relationship with opera is like that of a slightly insufferable and obnoxious family member. She loves it dearly, but frequently questions its decision making ability. The result is a book that is way funnier than you’d expect a book about a legendarily stuffy art form to be. If you’re an opera buff, you’ll know a lot of the stories in this book, but Vincent’s irreverent but loving tone gives them a fresh sensibility. If you’re curious about opera, this is a great primer, and if you dislike opera, this is a fair critique that probably won’t change your mind but might give you some new things to think about.
As an opera fan who enjoys Baroque opera seria (which Vincent fairly calls an acquired taste), and who is pretty suspicious of any opera with a composition date later than 1900 (which puts me at odds with most of the died in the wool traditionalists), I particularly enjoyed the parts about modern opera, which opened my eyes to where the art form is going and why I should give it a chance.
Recommended for anyone who’s curious about opera, and those who love it.
Vincent’s relationship with opera is like that of a slightly insufferable and obnoxious family member. She loves it dearly, but frequently questions its decision making ability. The result is a book that is way funnier than you’d expect a book about a legendarily stuffy art form to be. If you’re an opera buff, you’ll know a lot of the stories in this book, but Vincent’s irreverent but loving tone gives them a fresh sensibility. If you’re curious about opera, this is a great primer, and if you dislike opera, this is a fair critique that probably won’t change your mind but might give you some new things to think about.
As an opera fan who enjoys Baroque opera seria (which Vincent fairly calls an acquired taste), and who is pretty suspicious of any opera with a composition date later than 1900 (which puts me at odds with most of the died in the wool traditionalists), I particularly enjoyed the parts about modern opera, which opened my eyes to where the art form is going and why I should give it a chance.
Recommended for anyone who’s curious about opera, and those who love it.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
A lovely read on the various battlegrounds across opera. I enjoyed the structure and critiques on how the art form is battling for it's future across many fronts - interspaced with the author's experiences within the world of opera.
More commentary than history, this is an extremely approachable book, and would feel familiar for anyone who has experienced the arts, not just opera fans!
More commentary than history, this is an extremely approachable book, and would feel familiar for anyone who has experienced the arts, not just opera fans!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews