Written by a well-known authority, this book consists of 175 entries that set some of the most popular operas within the context of their composer's career, outline the plot, discuss the music, and more.

Provides synopses of forty-seven operas, a history of the opera, and a glossary of operatic terms.

The first comprehensive attempt to map the current field of opera studies by leading scholars in the discipline.

Essays on thirty-eight operas.

This Companion celebrates the extraordinary riches of the twentieth-century operatic repertoire in a collection of specially commissioned essays written by a distinguished team of academics, critics and practitioners. Beginning with a discussion of the century's vital inheritance from late-romantic operatic traditions in Germany and Italy, the text embraces fresh investigations into various aspects of the genre in the modern age, with a comprehensive coverage of the work of individual composers from Debussy and Schoenberg to John Adams and Harrison Birtwistle. Traditional stylistic categorizations (including symbolism, expressionism, neo-classicism and minimalism) are reassessed from new critical perspectives, and the distinctive operatic traditions of Continental and Eastern Europe, Russia and the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom and United States are subjected to fresh scrutiny. The volume includes essays devoted to avant-garde music theatre, operettas and musicals, filmed opera, and ends with a discussion of the position of the genre in today's cultural marketplace.

Covering over 1500 singers from the birth of opera to the present day, this marvelous volume will be an essential resource for all serious opera lovers and an indispensable companion to the enormously successful Grove Book of Operas. The most comprehensive guide to opera singers ever produced, this volume offers an alphabetically arranged collection of authoritative biographies that range from Marion Anderson (the first African American to perform at the Met) to Benedict Zak (the classical tenor and close friend and colleague of Mozart). Readers will find fascinating articles on such opera stars as Maria Callas and Enrico Caruso, Ezio Pinza and Fyodor Chaliapin, Lotte Lehmann and Jenny Lind, Lily Pons and Luciano Pavarotti. The profiles offer basic information such as birth date, vocal style, first debut, most memorable roles, and much more. But these articles often go well beyond basic biographical information to offer colorful portraits of the singer's personality and vocal style, plus astute evaluations of their place in operatic history and many other intriguing observations. Many entries also include suggestions for further reading, so that anyone interested in a particular performer can explore their life and career in more depth. In addition, there are indexes of singers by voice type and by opera role premiers. The articles are mostly drawn from the acclaimed Grove Music Online and have been fully revised, and the book is further supplemented by more than 40 specially commissioned articles on contemporary singers. A superb new guide from the first name in opera reference, The Grove Book of Opera Singers is a lively and authoritative work, beautifully illustrated with color and black-and-white pictures. It is an essential volume--and the perfect gift--for opera lovers everywhere.

A unique, easy-to-use, and inspiring handbook filled with a year’s worth of insight, helpful tips, and practical advice into the feline-human relationship. Whether you’re a cat owner yourself or someone who just loves all things cat, this book will provide you with a lifetime’s worth of ways to enjoy and appreciate cats. The format—a year-long, day-minder-type book—is not meant to be read cover to cover; rather, the book can fall open on any given day and lend applicable information and inspiration. Cat Lover’s Daily Companion is also completely indexed so you’re able to easily search for specific content. Each day features essays, anecdotes, activities, and trivia that remind you why you love cats: Monday—Practical information, from welcoming a cat home to understanding its basic needs Tuesday—Engaging tales of cats in history and literature Wednesday—Feline health and wellness topics, from acupuncture to the zodiac Thursday—Household tips and ideas for cat-friendly home decor and crafts Friday—The world of cat breeds, from Abyssinian to York Chocolate Saturday and Sunday—Bonding, relationship building, and planning special occasions with your pet With Cat Lover’s Daily Companion, you’ll have a year’s worth of ideas, information, and activities to help you care for, understand, socialize, and honor your feline friend.