This invaluable reference book explores the background to 400 years of opera the composers, the singers, plus the buildings and festivals that have developed to showcase them. The development of opera is explored and set in its political and social context. At the heart of this book are concise biographies of major composers, accompanied by portraits and illustrations relating to their works, together with recommended recordings (both historical and contemporary).

Table of Contents:
Contents Forewords by Lord Harewood and Bryn Terfel Preface The Growth of Opera A short history of the development of opera from the Baroque period to the present day Voices and Singers A discussion of voice production and vocal techniques and an analysis of male and female voices in the world of opera, and how these must be adapted to the different styles of singing required by different periods and different composers. Liberally illustrated by examples of artists in their various roles and with recommended recordings Theatres, companies, and festivals A description of important opera houses throughout the world, the opera companies that work in them, and the modern growth of opera festivals Composers and their operas A discussion of the major operas of each composer with recommended recordings; a short mention of their other significant operas; a listing of significant numbers; and a listing of their lesser operas The Baroque Period: the beginning of opera Monteverdi (Italian, 1567-1643); Cavalli (Italian, 1602-76); Purcell (English, 1659-95); Handel (German, 1685-1759); Rameau (French, 1683-1764) The Classical Period: opera established as an art form Gluck (German, 1714-1787); Mozart (Austrian, 1756-91); Beethoven (German, 1770-1827) The Romantic Period: from the bel canto operas to the beginnings of the 20th century Rossini (Italian, 1792-1868); Weber (German, 1796-1826); Donizetti (Italian, 1797-1848); Bellini (Italian, 1801-35); Glinka (Russian, 1804-57); Berlioz (French, 1803-69); Verdi (Italian, 1813-1901); Wagner (German, 1813-83); Gounod (French, 1818-93), Bizet (French, 1838-75); Mussorgsky (Russian, 1839-81); Tchaikovsky (Russian, 1840-93); Massenet (French, 1842-1912), Rimsky-Korsokov (Russian,1844-1908); Puccini (Italian, 1858-1924); Debussy (French, 1862-1918); Strauss (German, 1864-1949), The 20th Century - and beyond Jancek (Czech, 1854-1928); Vaughan Williams (English, 1872-1958); Schoenberg (Austrian, 1874-1951); Ravel (French, 1875-1937); Bartk (Hungarian,1881-1945); Stravinsky (Russian, 1882-1971); Berg (Austrian, 1885-1935); Prokofiev (Russian, 1891-1953); Gershwin (American, 1898-1937); Poulenc (French, 1899-1963); Weill (German, 1900-50); Walton (English, 1902-83); Tippett (English, 1905-98); Shostakovich (Russian, 1906-75); Menotti (Italian, b 1911); Britten (English, 1913-76); Henze (German, b 1926); Birtwistle (English, b 1934); Maxwell Davies (English, b 1934); Maw (English, b 1935); Glass (American, b 1937); John Adams (American, b 1947); Judith Weir (English, b 1954); Thomas Ads (English, b 1971) The World of Operetta INDEX ACKNOWLEDGMENTS