Puccini : La bohème [libretto]
by Luigi Illica (Librettist), Giuseppe Giacosa (Author)
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Description
Next to Verdi's Aïda, Giacomo Puccini's La Bohème is the most popular opera ever written. Performances of Aïda, La Bohème, Carmen, and Don Giovanni -- the four operas most often performed -- constitute approximately 75 percent of the yearly schedule of operas throughout the world. This volume contains everything the opera goer needs to derive full satisfaction from La Bohème except the musical score itself. Most important, it provides the complete text of the Italian libretto, just as show more it is actually sung; that is, where a singer repeats a phrase several times, each of the repetitions is given here. And facing the Italian text is a completely new translation of the libretto into modern, idiomatic English. In addition to the libretto and English translation, this edition provides a careful, concise summary of the plot of La Bohème and a complete list of the opera's characters. There is also a brief, highly informative introduction by the translator that traces Puccini's masterpiece back to its source in Henry Murger's autobiographical novel La Vie Bohème, illuminating the early history of the opera and its later development. Opera lovers can use this book with their own recordings of the opera, read it before attending a performance, or can easily take it along to the performance itself. Those who have regretted the lack of a good, authentic, readable edition of the Italian libretto of La Bohème, and have complained of the stodginess of existing English translations, will recognize in this book a first-rate aid to the understanding of one of Puccini's most celebrated operas. show lessTags
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Member Reviews
This is an excellent translation of the libretto of a deservedly popular opera. Unlike many translations, this one is not at all stiff and formal; on the contrary, it flows, much like the opera itself. The Dover edition is a particulary nice size and weight, making it convenient to carry to the opera or to read while listening to a recording of it.
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Series
Belongs to Publisher Series
Dover Opera Libretto Series (Puccini)
Dover Opera Librettos (Puccini)
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Is contained in
Is a retelling of
Common Knowledge
- Canonical title
- Puccini : La bohème [libretto]
Classifications
- Genres
- Music, Nonfiction
- DDC/MDS
- 782.12 — Arts & recreation Music Vocal music [formerly: Dramatic music and production of musical drama] Operas and related dramatic vocal forms; concert versions Operettas
- LCC
- ML50 .P965 .B62 — Music Literature on music Literature on music Librettos. Texts. Scenarios
- BISAC
Statistics
- Members
- 26
- Popularity
- 1,036,825
- Reviews
- 1
- Rating
- (4.50)
- Languages
- English
- Media
- Paper, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 2
