# Opera: The Definitive Illustrated Story - Hardcover

by **Alan Riding** (Author), **Leslie Dunton-Downer** (Author)

**Experience the passion and drama of the world's greatest operas with this sumptuously illustrated visual guide.**

Immerse yourself in more than 400 years of the world's most celebrated operas and discover the fascinating stories behind them. Explore the lives of singers such as Maria Callas, Luciano Pavarotti, and Jonas Kaufmann. Meet composers like Mozart, Wagner, and Britten, and the librettists with whom they collaborated to create the magical blend of words and music that make up opera.

From its origins in the 17th-century courts of Italy to live screenings in public spaces today, _Opera: The Definitive Illustrated Story_ follows the history of opera from Monteverdi's L'Orfeo in 1607, to Cosi fan Tutte, La Bohème, and modern operas such as Brokeback Mountain. It explains musical terminology, traces historical developments, and sets everything in a cultural context.  
**  
This awe-inspiring opera book further features:**

\-Includes all of the most important operas from the Renaissance to the 21st century  
\-Profiles the key composers, librettists, performers, and companies, with details of their lives, works, and influence  
\-Arranged in chronological order to show the evolution of the genre  
\-Clear, informative explanation of musical terminology and different types of opera

This book revels in the sets and costumes that make up the grand spectacle of opera. It also explores the great opera houses of the world, such as La Scala, Milan, the Met in New York, and the Sydney Opera House. _Opera: The Definitive Illustrated Story_ is the essential book for anyone who wants to understand and enjoy the constantly evolving world of this beloved art form.

Did you know that there are more than 25,000 opera performances per year worldwide? _Opera: The Definitive Illustrated Story_ can be regarded as the most lavishly illustrated history of opera currently available, covering all of the most important operas from the Renaissance to the 21st century, and is completely global in scope. A must-have volume for opera buffs, whether as a gift or self-purchase, if you're a music lover looking for an accessible introduction to opera, then this is the book for you!

### Author Biography

**Alan Riding** was the European cultural correspondent for _The New York Times_ for 12 years. He was previously bureau chief for _The Times_ in Paris, Madrid, Rio de Janeiro, and Mexico City. He was awarded the Maria Moors Cabot Prize by Columbia University for his coverage of Latin America.

**Leslie Dunton-Downer** received a PhD with Distinction in comparative literature from Harvard. She has served as a lecturer at her alma mater, and is a trustee of the Harvard Advocate and a member of the Society of Fellows. She was a 2014 fellow at the American Academy in Berlin.  

**Number of Pages:** 360

**Dimensions:** 1.1 x 11.2 x 9.5 IN

**Illustrated:** Yes

**Publication Date:** August 16, 2022

## Details

- **Price:** 50.0 USD
- **Vendor:** Books by splitShops
- **Type:** Books
- **Tags:** Books by splitShops, Shopify Collective

## Variants

| Variant | Price | Available |
|---------|-------|-----------|
| Default Title | 50.00 USD | In stock |

## Images

- Opera: The Definitive Illustrated Story - Hardcover
- Opera: The Definitive Illustrated Story - Hardcover

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