The Opera Lover's Companion Charles Osborne

This engaging guide to the 175 most popular operas will enhance the experience of every opera lover. Written by a well-known authority, the book consists of entries that set each opera within the context of its composer's career, outline the plot, discuss the music, and give relevant background information on the libretto, the staging, and the most famous and influential interpreters of the principal roles. In addition, the entries recount details of the first performance and subsequent performance history and provide guidance on the relative quality of available recordings. Aimed at opera lovers and committed newcomers rather than specialists, "The Opera-Lover's Companion" does not set out to cover every opera but only those most frequently encountered in opera houses or on recordings. Although the book is dominated by the five great opera composers - Mozart, Verdi, Wagner, Puccini, and Strauss - fifty-eight other composers are also represented.

Charles Osborne is a well-known writer, critic, and opera specialist who has been London music critic of the New York Times and chief drama critic of the London Daily Telegraph.

"'A loving and expert guide to the great operas in the repertoire, written from many years of experience. A must for all opera lovers young and old. I love it.' Dame Joan Sutherland 'An erudite, instructive and unpretentious guide.' Michael Kennedy, The Sunday Telegraph 'This book is exactly what the title claims: an opera lover's companion. Reading it is like going to the opera with a knowledgeable friend who tells you enough to make you want to see the piece but not so much you're drowned in superfluous detail.' Richard Fawkes, Opera Now"