{"product_id":"new-book-of-opera-anecdotes-paperback","title":"New Book of Opera Anecdotes - Paperback","description":"\u003cp\u003eby \u003cb\u003eEthan Mordden\u003c\/b\u003e (Author)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBuilding on the long-established success of Ethan Mordden's \u003cem\u003eOpera Anecdotes\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eThe New Book Of Opera Anecdotes\u003c\/em\u003e continues where the original left off, bringing into view the new corps of major singers that arose after the first book's publication in 1985 -- artists such as Renee Fleming, Roberto Alagna, Deborah Voigt, Jonas Kaufmann, Kathleen Battle, and Jane Eaglen (who tested her family with Turandot's three riddles and got a very original answer). \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eThere are also fresh adventures with opera's fabled great -- Rossini, Wagner, Toscanini (whose temper tantrums are always good for a story), Franco Corelli, Luciano Pavarotti, Leontyne Price (who, when the Met's Rudolf Bing offered her the voice-killing role of Abigaille in Verdi's Nabucco, said, \"Man, are you crazy?\"). \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eAlmost all the stories in \u003cem\u003eThe New Book Of Opera Anecdotes\u003c\/em\u003e are completely new, whether from the present or the past, taking in many historical developments, from the rise of the conductor to the appearance of the gymmed-up \"bari-hunk\" who refuses to play any role in which he can't appear shirtless. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eWhile most of Mordden's anecdotes are humorous, some are emotionally touching, such as one recounting a Met production of Mozart's \u003cem\u003eThe Marriage Of Figaro\u003c\/em\u003e in which Renee Fleming sang alongside her own six-year-old daughter. Other tales are suspenseful, as when Tito Gobbi shows off his ability to make anyone turn around simply by staring at his or her back. He tries it on Nazi monster Joseph Goebbels, who does turn around, and then starts to move toward Gobbi, seething with rage, step by step... \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eMordden recounts these stories in his own unique voice, amplifying events for reading pleasure and adding in background material so the opera newcomer can play on the same field as the aficionado. Witty, dramatoic, and at times a little shocking, \u003cem\u003eThe New Book Of Opera Anecdotes\u003c\/em\u003e will be a welcome addition to any opera fan's library.\u003cbr\u003e\u003ch3\u003eAuthor Biography\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEthan Mordden\u003c\/strong\u003e is a recognized expert on American musical theatre and the author of \u003cem\u003eOn Streisand\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eWhen Broadway Went to Hollywood\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eAnything Goes: A History of American Musical Theatre\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eMake Believe: The Broadway Musical in the 1920s\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eBeautiful Mornin: The Broadway Musical in the 1940s\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eComing Up Roses: The Broadway Musical in the 1950s, \u003c\/em\u003eand \u003cem\u003eOn Sondheim: An Opinionated Guide\u003c\/em\u003e, all published by Oxford University Press. His writing has been featured in \u003cem\u003eThe Wall Street Journal\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eThe New York Times\u003c\/em\u003e, and \u003cem\u003eThe New Yorker\u003c\/em\u003e. His numerous books include friendly introductions to opera and film, as well as five collections of short stories chronicling gay life in New York City. He lives in Manhattan.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNumber of Pages:\u003c\/strong\u003e 328\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 0.9 x 8.2 x 5.4 IN\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePublication Date:\u003c\/strong\u003e September 01, 2020\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Books by splitShops","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51760043688224,"sku":"9780190877682","price":23.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0974\/9764\/5344\/files\/85f6cf2d74bbef3622e4e38971782102.webp?v=1780169872","url":"https:\/\/ebocreations.com\/products\/new-book-of-opera-anecdotes-paperback","provider":"The E-Book Oasis LLC","version":"1.0","type":"link"}