- Paperback: 736 pages
- Publisher: Rough Guides Ltd; 2nd Revised edition edition (28 Oct 1999)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 1858284562
- ISBN-13: 978-1858284569
- Product Dimensions: 23.4 x 17 x 4.3 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 802,896 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- See Complete Table of Contents
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Product Description
Product Description
"The Rough Guide to Opera" is the definitive handbook on the subject, spanning nearly four centuries from Monteverdi to the avante-garde. Features include:
About the Author
Matthew Boyden is one of Britain's most hard-hitting music writers. He also makes regular appearances on television and radio.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
27 of 27 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
If you are new to opera, this book is essential. The rough guide goes through the opera from Monteverdi to the 20th century and gives you the summeries, commentaries and recommendations of various works in a very informative manner. I particularly enjoyed the explanation for why each of the recordings was recommended, and I found the choices much more sensible than say, in the Penguin Opera Guide. There are some controversial choices (I doubt you will find any other book recommending Te Kanawa's Boheme recording), and mistakes (Callas never sang Simon Boccanegra), but this is expected from a book with such a wide compass. Even for those of us who have been listening to opera for quite some time, this book can bring something new. For example, if you have been enjoying Berg and Britten, but would like to know more about the pieces written after their works, you will find wonderful discussions about Menotti, Adams or Cage. Particularly well covered are the recent British composers. Highly recommended!
25 of 25 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
The Rought Guide contains less historical and musical detail than Kobbe, but its synopses are easier to understand and it also provides a useful explanation of why and how the composer came to write the piece as he did. The CD performance reviews are practical and useful. Probably too superficial for the serious student but just right for the first-timer.
Tony B
Tony B
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This isn't a 'heavyweight' book, but for a casual admirer of opera such as myself, Boyden has pitched the level of detail just right. I have bought almost fifty sets on the strength of his first/second choice recommendations (I am not a fan of historic mono recordings, I am afraid) and have found little to quibble with.
You will find the text informative, reliable and -- over time -- indispensable. I have read mine to pieces, and look forward to a new edition if only so as not to have a flurry of pages falling on to my knees every time I open it (a sign of over-use rather than poor binding!)
Buy without hesitation.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
rough guide to opera
I was astonished to get this book for a total cost [ inc P&P ] of less than £3.
Whilst it was 10 years old, the info re opera was just as useful as when it was written
Whilst it was 10 years old, the info re opera was just as useful as when it was written
Published 3 months ago by Alwyn Taylor
ROUGH and READY
This guide, with its ill-judged, hasty dismissal of certain great artists and excessive praise for lesser ones, will certainly not please any opera buff: the synopses and notes... Read more
Published on 29 Dec 2008 by Numero Uno
A real gem
This book is a superb introduction to opera. It really is worth every penny. True, there are a few mistakes (since when has EMI's Der Barbier von Bagdad only been available as a... Read more
Published on 29 July 2007 by A music fan
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