The Pan Book of Opera

by Arthur Jacobs, Stanley Sadie

The Pan Book Of Opera Jacobs, Arthur and Sadie, Stanley

Genres: Music, Nonfiction

563 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1964

Reviews

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Back in my days of regular singing lessons, when I still nurtured a tiny hope that I might make something of myself in the world of music, I tried my hand at a few operatic arias ('Dove sono' from The Marriage of Figaro was my absolute favourite), but never actually went to see any operas performed live. They always seemed just too inaccessible, too bloody expensive. So I've been putting off reading this, as I thought it, too, would be too inaccessible (albeit not expensive, being a charity shop purchase). On the contrary, it provides a panoply of clear, readable synopses of operas throughout history, in a conversational, sometimes even witty style, enhanced by some musical criticism that even made sense to me, limited though my musical knowledge may be.

I've still not been to see any operas since reading - they're still too bloody expensive! - but I feel they might be that bit more accessible, if I read the relevant section of the book before I go. Maybe one day, when my finances improve...

P.S. This book is actually written by Arthur Jacobs and Stanley Sadie - the fact that Jacobs is missed out on here messes with my beautiful (and quite tragic, I realise) alphabetical flow of books read...