{"product_id":"a-night-at-the-opera-an-irreverent-guide-to-the-plots-the-singers-the-composers-the-recordings-paperback","title":"A Night at the Opera: An Irreverent Guide to the Plots, the Singers, the Composers, the Recordings - Paperback","description":"\u003cp\u003eby \u003cb\u003eDenis Forman\u003c\/b\u003e (Author)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\"Delightful and anti-reverential\"--\u003ci\u003eSunday Times\u003c\/i\u003e (London)\u003c\/b\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eWith an encyclopedic knowledge of opera and a delightful dash of irreverence, Sir Denis Forman throws open the world of opera--its structure, composers, conductors, and artists--in this hugely informative guide. \u003ci\u003eA Night at the Opera \u003c\/i\u003edissects the eighty-three most popular operas recorded on compact disc, from Cilea's \u003ci\u003eAdriana Lecouvreur\u003c\/i\u003e to Mozart's \u003ci\u003eDie Zauberfl te.\u003c\/i\u003e For each opera, Sir Denis details the plot and cast of characters, awarding stars to parts that are \"worth looking out for,\" \"really good,\" or, occasionally, \"stunning.\" He goes on to tell the history of each opera and its early reception. Finally, each work is graded from alpha to gamma (although the Ring cycle gets an \"X\"), and Sir Denis has no qualms about voicing his opinion: the first act of Fidelio is \"a bit of a mess,\" while the last scene of Don Giovanni \"towers above the comic finales of Figaro and Cos  and whether or not  it] is Mozart's greatest opera, it is certainly his most powerful finale.\" \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eThe guide also presents brief biographies of the great composers, conductors, and singers. A glossary of musical terms is included, as well as Operatica, or the essential elements of opera, from the proper place and style of the audience's applause (and boos) to the use of subtitles. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ci\u003eA Night at the Opera\u003c\/i\u003e is for connoisseurs and neophytes alike. It will entertain and inform, delight and (perhaps) infuriate, providing a subject for lively debate and ready reference for years to come.\u003ch3\u003eFront Jacket\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eWith an encyclopedic knowledge of opera and a delightful dash of irreverence, Sir Denis Forman throws open the world of opera--its structure, composers, conductors, and artists--in this hugely informative guide. A Night at the Opera dissects the eighty-three most popular operas recorded on compact disc, from Cilea's Adriana Lecouvreur to Mozart's Die Zauberflote. For each opera, Sir Denis details the plot and cast of characters, awarding stars to parts that are \"worth looking out for,\" \"really good,\" or, occasionally, \"stunning.\" He goes on to tell the history of each opera and its early reception. Finally, each work is graded from alpha to gamma (although the Ring cycle gets an \"X\"), and Sir Denis has no qualms about voicing his opinion: the first act of Fidelio is \"a bit of a mess,\" while the last scene of Don Giovanni \"towers above the comic finales of Figaro and Cosi and whether or not [it] is Mozart's greatest opera, it is certainly his most powerful finale.\"\u003cbr\u003eThe guide also presents brief biographies of the great composers, conductors, and singers. A glossary of musical terms is included, as well as Operatica, or the essential elements of opera, from the proper place and style of the audience's applause (and boos) to the use of surtitles.\u003cbr\u003eA Night at the Opera is for connoisseurs and neophytes alike. It will entertain and inform, delight and (perhaps) infuriate, providing a subject for lively debate and ready reference for years to come. \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eAuthor Biography\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eSir Denis Forman was for nine years the deputy chairman of the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden in London. He was a founding member of the Granada television franchise in the United Kingdom and became its chairman and chief executive, responsible for its acclaimed drama program, which included The Jewel in the Crown. Sir Denis lives near London.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNumber of Pages:\u003c\/strong\u003e 976\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 2.4 x 9.2 x 6.1 IN\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePublication Date:\u003c\/strong\u003e September 01, 1998\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Books by splitShops","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51755634721056,"sku":"9780375751769","price":26.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0974\/9764\/5344\/files\/61f297e2bf43f867394530508c56c733.webp?v=1780064260","url":"https:\/\/ebocreations.com\/products\/a-night-at-the-opera-an-irreverent-guide-to-the-plots-the-singers-the-composers-the-recordings-paperback","provider":"The E-Book Oasis LLC","version":"1.0","type":"link"}