The essential information about opera (contributors, types, history, theaters, festivals, etc.), written in simple language that is understandable to all. A handbook for music lovers who want to form their own image of the lyrical theater and not rely on widespread and stereotypical views.

The presentation of the essential elements of opera from its beginnings to the present day gives the reader-listener the opportunity for knowledge on both a technical and historical level, while also allowing them to get to know and trust their innate musical instinct.

Contents:

PREFACE

PART A | The contributors to the performance

I. The singer - The marvel of the voice - Technique - Limitations - Interpretation - Professionalism

II. The writer

III. The musicians - The composer - The orchestra, the choir, and the conductor

IV. The movement

V. The direction

VI. Sets-Costumes

VII. The lighting

PART B | Elements of opera

I. The types of voices - Female and male voices - Female voices - Male voices - General - The confusion of genders - Castrati - Countertenor - Travesti roles - Ten great singers

II. The parts of the opera

III. The types of opera

IV. The great theaters - The great theaters - The guided tour - Disasters - The finances of theaters - The behavior of the audience

V. The major festivals

PART C | History of opera

I. The Baroque - The birth of opera and Italian Baroque - Baroque in France - Opera seria - Handel

II. Classicism - Opera buffa - The reform of opera - Mozart - Opéra comique and the French Revolution

III. Early Romanticism - France: Grand opera and opéra comique - Italy: Bel canto - Germany: Romantic opera

IV. Late Romanticism - Verdi - Wagner - France - The Slavs

V. Between two eras - Verismo - Symbolism

VI. 20th century to present - Atonality and remnants of the 19th century - Neoclassicism - Kurt Weill and America - 20th-century Slavs - Britten, Barber, Menotti, Poulenc - The last representatives of the avant-garde - Today

VII. Operetta

VIII. Greece

PART D | The experience of the performance

I. Practical Guidelines - Ways to get to know opera - The language barrier - The critique - Dress codes

II. Opera for children

III. Recommendations (dvd/cd)

Bibliography