In most areas of human endeavor, bluffing is an easy way of getting by -- a method of artificially appearing knowledgeable. The Bluffer's Guides are a three million-copy best-selling series of snappy little books containing facts, jargon, and inside information -- all that readers need to know to hold their own among the experts.

Instantly acquire all the knowledge you need to pass as an expert in the world of opera. Know what to say, where to say it, what not to say, where to be seen, and even what to wear. Never again confuse a castrato with a contralto, a prima donna with sopratitoli, or O Sole Mio with an ice cream advert. Bask in the admiration of your fellow opera lovers as you pronounce confidently on the merits of Donizetti’s bel canto over Wagner’s leitmotiv, and hold your own against the most sneering of opera buffs..

Native tongue The true opera buff is staunchly for opera in the original language, knowing full well that it is likely to be twice as tedious to know what is going on as not to know. Opera repertoire The names of operas should generally be spoken in the original language unless it is too obvious what they mean and familiarity has bred suitable contempt, e.g. The Magic Flute, The Marriage of Figaro, and The Barber of Seville. It shows a true familiarity with the opera repertoire if you abbreviate these to The Flute, The Marriage, and The Barber. Plot It is fairly safe to make up bits of an opera plot as nobody is likely to challenge its validity. A fair number of them are just as intelligible after reading the synopsis as before. Acting ability Opera singers have their fair share of genius, namely the ability to sing and execute a trill or two. The problem is they are required to act as well. Libretto The opera plot is generally referred to as the libretto from the Italian meaning “little book”—i.e. “small,” “insignificant” and “hardly worth reading.”

The perfect gift for the music lover in your life. Instantly acquire all the knowledge needed to pass as an expert in the worlds of Jazz, Opera and Rock. Never again be found wanting when asked why all amps 'go to 11' or what the difference is between bebop and hard bop and castrato and contralto. But above all, learn how to hold your own against even the most sneering of music aficionados.