‘A work of outstanding beauty and usefulness’ – The Times Literary Supplement

‘A stunning collection of pictures … the book is a pleasure to read and will undoubtedly prove a useful source of reference’– Records and Recording

Whatever the period, high passion and exotic spectacle are characteristically fused in opera to create stirring and memorable theatrical experiences. A glance at the lavish illustrations in this book is enough to explain why opera has always been, and why it remains, the uniquely popular genre it is.

Leslie Orrey surveys the whole history of opera from its evolution at the end of the 16th century, also assessing the impact of changes in the styles, conditions and architecture of the theatre, as well as the increasing influence of the producer. For this second edition, Rodney Milnes, former editor of Opera magazine, updated the discussion.

Also of interest
The Chronicle of Opera: Year-by-year - Four Centuries of Music, Performance and Recording
Fashion Designers at the Opera