Phantasmagoria Book

Joseph Kerman advocates a serious search for dramatic values in Opera in this classic work. Readable and not too technical, at least for the opera lovers, this book discusses the history and theory of opera from Monteverdi to Stravinsky and beyond. I enjoyed his discussion of the impact of Shakespeare on Verdi's opera with a chapter on Otello. The different forms of opera whether neoclassic, singspiel, symphonic or grand are analyzed with useful examples. Kerman knows how to think about music and critic the compositions with elegant style. I enjoyed this excursion into words about the drama of some of the music I love and cherish.