Opera: The Definitive Illustrated Story

by Alan Riding, Leslie Dunton-Downer

Experience the passion and drama of the world’s greatest operas with this sumptuously illustrated visual guide.

Immerse yourself in more than 400 years of the world’s most celebrated operas and discover the fascinating stories behind them. Explore the lives of singers such as Maria Callas, Luciano Pavarotti, and Jonas Kaufmann. Meet composers like Mozart, Wagner, and Britten, and the librettists with whom they collaborated to create the magical blend of words and music that make up opera.

From its origins in the 17th-century courts of Italy to live screenings in public spaces today, The Definitive Illustrated Story follows the history of opera from Monteverdi’s L'Orfeo in 1607, to Cosi fan Tutte, La Bohème, and modern operas such as Brokeback Mountain. It explains musical terminology, traces historical developments, and sets everything in a cultural context.

This awe-inspiring opera book further

-Includes all of the most important operas from the Renaissance to the 21st century
-Profiles the key composers, librettists, performers, and companies, with details of their lives, works, and influence
-Arranged in chronological order to show the evolution of the genre
-Clear, informative explanation of musical terminology and different types of opera

This book revels in the sets and costumes that make up the grand spectacle of opera. It also explores the great opera houses of the world, such as La Scala, Milan, the Met in New York, and the Sydney Opera House. The Definitive Illustrated Story is the essential book for anyone who wants to understand and enjoy the constantly evolving world of this beloved art form.

Did you know that there are more than 25,000 opera performances per year worldwide? The Definitive Illustrated Story can be regarded as the most lavishly illustrated history of opera currently available, covering all of the most important operas from the Renaissance to the 21st century, and is completely global in scope. A must-have volume for opera buffs, whether as a gift or self-purchase, if you’re a music lover looking for an accessible introduction to opera, then this is the book for you!

Genres: Music, History, Nonfiction

360 pages, Hardcover

Published August 16, 2022

About the author

ALAN RIDING is a Brazilian-born Briton who studied economics and law before becoming a journalist and writer. Working successively for Reuters, The Financial Times, The Economist and The New York Times, he reported from the United Nations in New York, Latin America and Western Europe. During much of his career, Riding covered political and economic affairs. During the final 12 years before he retired from journalism in 2007, he was the European cultural correspondent for The New York Times, based in Paris. In 1980, Riding was awarded the Maria Moors Cabot Prize by Columbia University for his coverage of Latin America and he has also been honored by the Overseas Press Club and the Latin American Studies Association in the United States. He is author of the best-selling book, "Distant Neighbors: A Portrait of the Mexicans," and co-author of "Essential Shakespeare Handbook" and "Opera." His most recent book, published in 2010, is "And The Show Went On: Cultural Life in Nazi-Occupied Paris." It has since also been published in French, Spanish, Catalan, Portuguese and Polish.

Reviews

[Jordan B Cooper · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautifully put together volume with great information.

[Doug Lewars · Rating 5 out of 5]

*** Possible Spoilers ***

Comprehensive and well organized, this work provides considerable insight into the world of opera. It is, however, more of a reference work than the sort of book one might enjoy reading from cover to cover. Looking up a particular opera, composer, era or location might provide considerable information but unless one is truly an opera aficionado, I can't see reading it. I got it in audio format and let the narrator drone on while I did other things. I doubt I could have finished it in print. I did learn a number of things and encountered both operas and opera composers I'd never heard of so at least my time spent was enlightening.

[Dennis]

A good intro to opera that goes right through 2020. I've been more interested in opera of late yet still couldn't get into it. But love of classical music drove to investigate further and thanks to this audiobook I've been listening to some opera recordings and appreciating the art more.

[Brooke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good intro to the opera world, but only 4 stars for trash-talking Constanze Weber Mozart (twice).