The Great Operas

The work is in six sections: operas, composers, great interpreters, the world's top 25 opera houses, history, and a glossary. Of course it is not comprehensive--some of the information is a little outdated, and the sound quality is not wonderful--but this is a tremendous introduction to the world of opera. One impressive feature is that unlike many works aimed at a wide audience, The Great Operas does not shirk the 20th century, offering extracts of 20 of the century's great operas.

Artist biographies have audio excerpts, complete with the score, and as a bonus there are five marvelous video clips, including Callas, Sutherland, and Pavarotti--all in black and white, but well worth including. The history section has direct links to audio examples, and even a few seconds of listening provide a flavor of the work that no printed volume could ever hope to achieve. --Keith Clarke

Amazon.com Product Description
Discover the world of opera through 100 works illustrated with photographs, videos, and interpretations by the greatest artists of this century. Arturo Toscanini, Enrico Caruso, Beniamino Gigli, Georg Solti, Elisabeth Schwarzkopf, Renata Tebaldi, Maria Callas, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Joan Sutherland, Régine Crespin, Christa Ludwig, Mirella Freni, Luciano Pavarotti, and Placido Domingo are just some of the legendary figures who will delight and amaze you.

This software is a stirring invitation to a sound and sight voyage into this multifaceted universe: the 100 greatest operas, their composers and interpreters, and 25 great theaters throughout the world--showcases that have made these operas live more than four centuries--as well as a history of opera and a musical glossary.