Reviews for The Oxford illustrated history of opera

The average rating for The Oxford illustrated history of opera based on 2 reviews is 3 stars.

Review # 1 was written on 2021-02-07 00:00:00 Emi States Wow…finally finished this book that I bought for a couple of bucks from some Salvation Army store. While it look new, it sat on my self for some time. The pandemic finally raised it to my reading file. I read another opera book and now this one. It was rich - history, details of opera I didn't comprehend or care about, and covering opera from all angels. Ten contributing writers bring opera to life, some better and more interesting that others but all in an interesting manner. The book itself is beautiful - and has so many stunning pictures and interesting illustrations. I didn't start to highlight but finally broke down during the third chapter and throughout the rest of the book. The amount of yellow showed just how much information is contained in this book, combining history - including changing countries, wars, change in leadership of regions - impacted Opera. The book shared interesting history of how there were astonishing change in Opera during the Revolution Years of France, the impact of the loss of the Czechs loss of aristocracy, how the gutting of Poland also totally changed Opera for those who had lived in Polish communities and how the Nazi's claimed down on Opera. The discussion of censorship over the centuries could have been a chapter in itself. Opera seems to change even less than organized religion. The book highlights that the average age of works chosen for the 1991-1992 English National Opera season was 142 years old. Of course, in the last 50 years, many enjoy mini-Operas in Broadway musicals and Operettas. Discussion about the role of the stage hands, the size of theatres, and the sexual harassment of women performers also could have been expanded in a meaningful manner. One of the most useful areas of this book is how it highlights so many opera houses, some that still exists. Prior to heading back to Europe, this book will be instructional to provide additional history before visiting these rich homes of the arts.

Review # 2 was written on 2012-04-22 00:00:00 Susan De George Interesting set of subjects. I had no idea that there were Russian operas! The way opera evolved over the centuries was something I found rather fascinating. I wholeheartedly recommend this book for anyone who has sung any chamber music or who loves the history of music in general.