Amanda Holden (1) (1948–2021)

The book contains information on more than 800 composers and examines some 1,500 operas in detail. Each composer's musical career is outlined, with an assessment of his or her overall contribution to opera. Opera entries include cast lists and orchestral forces, a commentary on the background of the work, a synopsis of the plot, and a musical analysis identifying musical highlights and points of interest. Recording and edition information is included. For those who don't like to turn pages, show more prefer to read from the screen, or just like the click-click of the mouse, the CD-ROM provides computer access via Windows to the information and pictures (small black & whites) of the book. The CD-ROM holds some enhancements: notably, three hours of music excerpts.

A detailed guide to operas, arranged alphabetically by composer, discusses monodies, masques, and grand, tragic, and comic operas, modern music dramas, operettas, and musicals and features contributions from musicologists, critics, musicians, and other experts. show less

More than 150 composers are profiled, and there are entries on more than 450 operas, providing details of the cast, a discussion of the work's background, plot synopsis, and more.