The English National Opera Guides were originally conceived in partnership with the English National Opera and edited by Nicholas John, the ENO's dramaturg, who died tragically in an accident in the Alps. Most of the guides are devoted to a single opera, which is described in detail—with many articles that cover its history and information about the composer and his times. The complete libretto is included in both the original language and in a modern singing translation—except where the opera was written in English. Each has a thematic guide to the most important musical themes in musical notation and each guide is lavishly illustrated. They also contain a bibliography and a discography which is updated at each reprint. The ENO guides are widely regarded as the best series of their kind and excellent value.

The Magic Flute: English National Opera Guide 3 (English National Opera Guides) (English and German Edition)

Arts & Photography

MOZART

Music

Oneworld Classics

English National Opera Guides are ideal companions to the opera. They provide stimulating introductory articles together with the complete text of each opera in English and the original. Aida is, for most of us, the quintessence of Ancient Egypt but it is certainly not just for archaeologists! Michael Rose points out that it is really about patriotism—an issue of burning importance to Verdi and his contemporaries. Music critic William Mann reflects that even a short look at the score reveals subtleties that repay careful listening. And Verdi's own letters show the germs of the opera grow from suggestion to creation.

Aida: English National Opera Guide 2 (English National Opera Guides)

VERDI, Giuseppe

Here is one of Puccini's greatest hits, in an affordable version for complete orchestra. This story of love, art and death in Rome during the Napoleonic wars is today considered a classic for such arias as "Vissi d'arte" (I lived for art; I lived for love), but at its premiere in 1900 it was denounced as "a shabby little shocker," for things like Baron Scarpia's lechery and Tosca's termination of him with extreme prejudice. Be aware that Dover's scores are reprints from other companies that are now out of copyright; that means that they're older versions, and lack such amenities as English translations.

Tosca: English National Opera Guide 16 (English National Opera Guides)

PUCCINI

This book tells the story of Lorenzo Da Ponte, an Italian libbrettist most famous for collaborating with Mozart on three operas: Le nozze di Figaro, Don Giovanni, and Cosi fan tutte.

Lorenzo Da Ponte: A Biography of Mozart's Librettist

Biographies & Memoirs

FitzLyon, April

Arts & Literature

English National Opera Guides are ideal companions to the opera. They provide stimulating introductory articles together with the complete text of each opera in English and the original. Fidelio is Beethoven's only opera and the composition he is said to have loved the most. Elizabeth Forbes introduces the background and composition of the opera, written and revised over the years when Europe was caught up in the Napoleonic campaigns. Basil Deane's musical commentary is the fruit of a life's study and devotion to the work. The last contribution is an extract from Ernest Newman's translation of Romain Rolland's classic study of Beethoven the Creator.

Fidelio: English National Opera Guide 4 (English National Opera Guides)

BEETHOVEN

English National Opera Guides are ideal companions to the opera. They provide stimulating introductory articles together with the complete text of each opera in English and the original. In this Guide, Julian Budden reviews the difficulties that faced the management that had commissioned La Traviata and how, in some previously unpublished letters, Verdi fought their views on casting the leading lady. Denis Arnold contributes a musical commentary. April FitzLyon discusses the social background of the "lady of the camellias" in fact, fiction and on the stage, and Nicholas John compares the libretto with the play to show how skilfully it was adapted to for the operatic stage.

La Traviata: English National Opera Guide 5 (English National Opera Guides)

Humor & Entertainment

English National Opera Guides are ideal companions to the opera. They provide stimulating introductory articles together with the complete text of each opera in English and the original. "A Landmark in Musical History" is John Luke Rose's title for the introduction to this extraordinary piece of theatre. It belongs to the German tradition of mystical writing and a short note on the poem itself by Martin Swales and Timothy McFarland elucidates some of Wagner's literary techniques. Anthony Negus, who assisted Reginald Goodall on the WNO production of this opera, has contributed a penetrating analysis of the musical structure of the opera, while Patrick Carnegy assesses the remarkable solutions to staging an opera which some argue is best experienced with your back to the performers! In association with English National Opera.

Tristan and Isolde: English National Opera Guide 6 (English National Opera Guides)

WAGNER, RICHARD

Otello (English National Opera Guides)

giuseppe-verdi

Lohengrin: English National Opera Guide 47 (English National Opera Guides)

Don Giovanni: English National Opera Guide 18 (English National Opera Guides) (English and Italian Edition)

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