Opera: What's All the Screaming About?

by Roger Englander

Traces the history and development of opera from its Renaissance origins to the present, includes plot summaries of fifty operas, and profiles Bizet's Carmen from inception to performance

Genres: Music, Nonfiction

192 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 1983

Reviews

[Mary Pat]

Very quick read, and provides a little taste for what opera is about. I liked the structure and how he applied each part to Carmen - specificity helps. However, he kept injecting opinion that's a bit off-putting and unnecessary. It's fine to have a point of view, but it's not helpful to his position to sneer at opposing opinions.

Also, this is dated and it is long due for someone to update. I think something with a similar structure would be good.

[Elizabeth Quinn]

I read this as research for my novel, My Phantom: The Memoir of Christine Daaé. The novel is set in the world of opera. When I began this project, I knew ZERO about opera. This book began my education.

[Jen]

Delightful for read for anyone, not just beginners, as it includes many interesting historical tidbits.

[Robert]

A good quick intro to a world of music that most of us do not know.