First published in 1996 to great critical and popular acclaim, The Grove Book of Operas brings together synopses and descriptions of over 250 leading operas, complemented by more than one hundred illustrations and halftones. Each succinct yet insightful entry is written by a leading authority on the opera and includes a full synopsis of the plot, a cast list, a note on the singers in the original production, and information on the origins of the work and its literary and social background. Contributions conclude with a brief comment on the particular works place in operatic history. A glossary offers brief and accessible definitions of terms that may be unfamiliar to the reader. And indices of role names and of arias and ensembles allow the reader to find operas containing their favorite aria or a well-known character. This second edition brings the book up to date with several recently composed operas and a fascinating introductory essay by David Levin on opera performance in the 21st century. Recent additions to the operatic repertory included for the first time in this edition include Nicholas Maw, Sophies Choice; Poul Ruders, A Handmaids Tale; John Adams, Death of Klinghoffer; and Mark Adamo, Little Women. Now offered in paperback for the first time, this is a book that should be on the shelf of every opera fan.
Edited by:
Stanley Sadie ( UK),
Laura Macy
Imprint: Oxford University Press
Country of Publication: United States
Edition: 2nd Revised edition
Dimensions:
Height: 165mm,
Width: 235mm,
Spine: 35mm
Weight: 1g
ISBN: 9780195387117
ISBN 10: 0195387112
Pages: 764
Publication Date: 01 July 2009
Audience:
General/trade
,
ELT Advanced
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active
Introductory essay from scholar and dramaturge David Levin surveys contemporary trends in opera performance and their intellectual and cultural contexts ; Each entry includes a full plot synopsis, cast list, information about the first production and a discussion of the opera's history ; Includes recent operas such as The Death of Klinghoffer , Handmaid's Tale, and Little Women, which have received considerable press attention and, in some instances, have generated controversy ; Each of the entries is written by a top expert on the opera or composer ; Clearly and engagingly written, with invaluable tools such as a glossary and several indices (role names; arias and ensembles; and operas by composer)
Reviews for The Grove Book of Operas
<em>The Grove Book of Operas, Second Edition</em> offers more detail for the seasoned operaphile... A versatile tool for research. --<em>Opera News</em> <em>The Grove Book of Operas, Second Edition</em>, should be on every opera-lover's short list of indispensable reference books. Highly recommended. --Gary Hoffman, <em>Opera Today</em>.PRAISE FOR FIRST EDITION: Make no mistake: This will be the definitive reference work in opera for many, many years to come. --<em>The Chicago Tribune</em>.PRAISE FOR FIRST EDITION: This work will significantly affect not only the way opera is enjoyed in the future, but the way it is made. --<em>The Washington Post</em>.PRAISE FOR FIRST EDITION: All inquiries into Opera begin there from now on. --<em>The San Francisco Examiner Chronicle</em>.PRAISE FOR FIRST EDITION: For once the hype is right on the money... This may well be the best English-language opera reference available. --Amazon.com
