Classical Opera

Author: Ou Nan
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-07-01
Features: The 100 operas included in this book cannot fully encompass the entire history of Western opera. It merely offers a glimpse into some of the main parts of the long 400-year history of Western opera, specifically those well-known classics that have survived the test of time. Of course, there are far more than 100. Western stages have once hosted tens of thousands of operas, yet only a handful are frequently performed today, and even fewer in China. The same applies to various versions of operas—only the version that suits you. The so-called authoritative version is also relative, as music reveals its meaning through the diverse interpretations of each individual. However, to make it easier for opera enthusiasts who are new to the genre to choose recordings, the book has deliberately selected some widely recognized and excellent audio versions for reference.