This beautifully illustrated one-volume encyclopedia covers a broad variety of topics relating to opera from its roots in antiquity to the twentieth century. In addition to describing individual operas, this book discusses composers, librettists, singers, and key historical moments relating to opera. Each entry is divided into six “themes” including: Techniques, Houses and Composers, The Voice, Performance, Stage and Scene, and Synopses. Listening suggestions are included as are “Popular Melody” boxes which detail a melody from the opera that the reader may already know.
