Item Detail
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Holden, Amanda
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The Penguin concise guide to opera
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Book
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Penguin reference books
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London
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2005
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Penguin Books
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xii, 593 p. ; 20 cm.
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English
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0141016825 (pbk.)
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ML 102 .O6 P46 2005
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Holden, Amanda, ed. The Penguin Concise Guide to Opera. London: Penguin Books Ltd., 2005.
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An introduction for new listeners to standard opera repertoire and regularly performed works.
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Derived from editor's larger work, The New Penguin Guide to Opera. Coverage consists of 250 operas written between 1607 and 2004 deemed the best known or the most important. Approximately half of the selected operas premiered in the 20th century. The geographical scope is Western music.
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The book consists of an alphabetical listing of 102 composer articles followed by a list of article contributors and an index of operas covered. Each composer article is subdivided into a biographical introduction and then individual entries of his most important works, listed chronologically. Each opera entry provides the following information: the title (in its original language and English translation), librettist and source of libretto, acts and duration (to the nearest 15 minutes); and the dates and venues of the world, UK, and US premiere. Most entries also consist of background to the work, synopsis, musical commentary, and a list of recommended recordings. Within entries for major operas are found full cast listings; less important operas have abbreviated cast listings. Length of entry determined by importance of opera. List of article contributors is organized by contributor's initials and provides biographical information. The index of operas is organized alphabetically with titles listed under original language and English translation title.
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Up-to-date with major significant operas of the early 21st century.
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Not all operas are covered equallytotal information in some opera entries is integrated into one or two paragraphs; information in others is discretely labeled.
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Bartlett, Clifford. Early Music Review 110 (December 2005): 21.
Guinther, Joanna B. Opera News 71 (February 2007): 73.
Khandekar, Ashutosh. Music Teacher 84 (November 2005): 37. -
BYU Mus Ref
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1444