The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Recorded Opera

The profusion of operatic works available on record makes a comprehensive guide to the world’s recorded opera essential reading for any enthusiast. For the first time, this beautifully produced and heavily illustrated book covers every recorded opera – over 550, from L’Incoronazione di Poppea to Peter Grimes and Fidelio to The Yeomen of the Guard. They are arranged under the name of the composer, whose brief biographical details and career notes are followed by his operas in chronological order. Every opera has details of librettist and first performance, with notes on the music and well-known arias where relevant, and recommended recordings with cast lists. Those operas of which complete recordings are available also have a synopsis of the story.

The atmosphere of opera is brought to life with illustrations of stage performances, set and costume designs and playbills over 250 photographs, many in full colour – and 150 record sleeves are also reproduced in colour. А supplementary section contains illustrated biographies of 100 leading opera singers.

For the opera-goer, the record-collector, and anyone who wants a lively introduction to opera, this is an indispensable book.