The New Grove Dictionary of Opera

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Summary: I need to ask a queston..
Review: Do you have the new Grove Dictionary of Opera in paperback? I cannot find anywhere to ask a question. Thanks

Rating:
Summary: From the realm of academe
Review: The short & sweet of it: this four-volume set is the most comprehensive collection of information about composers, librettists, major singers, and of course, *operas* I have ever encountered. Not for the faint of heart or the casual fan. Within, you will find such goodies as: historical information (place/date of debut, librettist, commissioned by..., compositional style/process, reaction of the public, etc.), role names + voice part, historical photographs, extensive plot summaries, musical examples, orchestration, and a musicological commentary on the opera, most often in the context of the composer's larger body of works. But the best is yet to come, my friends - each entry includes a comprehensive bibliographical listing of major studies done on each opera, composer, singer, or librettist. A great place to start when researching a role, studying for a test, or preparing for a paper.

The only weakness in this volume is that one only reads of aria titles. If you are looking for an aria to sing, or in-depth information on a particular aria, you may not find a lot of reference to it here. But, the book will provide much context for your study, and this volume will point you toward a plethora of valuable resources regarding your aria.

Who should own this book: the scholar, the enthusiast, and the serious performer.