Synopses & Reviews
Opera housesand#151;temples to the art of Mozart, Verdi, Tchaikovsky, and moreand#151;have been created by some of the most talented architects and designers of their generations, inspiring centuries of veneration from audiences, filled with royalty and commoners alike. In this sumptuous book, photographer Guillaume de Laubier and journalist Antoine Pecqueur explore more than 25 of the worldand#8217;s most beautiful opera houses, from Tokyo to Covent Garden, from Oslo to Chicago, from Milan to New York. The buildings are described in their historical contexts, while stunning photography reveals the theatersand#8217; most captivating spaces. In addition to offering sweeping views of ornate auditoriums and facades, the book opens doors normally closed to the public, entering the artistsand#8217; dressing rooms, rehearsal halls, scenery workshops, and more, presenting a wide-ranging and compelling look into a spectacular world.
Praise for The Most Beautiful Opera Houses in the World:
and#147;Performance spaces take the spotlight in The Most Beautiful Opera Houses in the World and you donand#8217;t need to be a music buff to appreciate their range. The photographs by Guillaume de Laubier capture 32 theaters across the globe in rich detail . . . Who knew empty stages made for such good theater?and#8221; and#151;Wall Street Journal
and#160;and#147;With the growing popularity of massive arenas, it is often difficult to think back to a time when going out for a night of music was synonymous with elegance. But a new book has rediscovered the high art of these exquisite theater spaces. The Most Beautiful Opera Houses in the World contains hundreds of photographs showing the exteriors and auditoriums of these cultural treasuresand#151;and is a reminder why these architectural wonders are worth a visit.and#8221; and#151;FOXNews.com
Synopsis
An invaluable guide for both casual opera fans and afficionados, this volume contains act-by-act descriptions of operatic works ranging from the early seventeenth century masterworks of Monteverdi and Purcell to the modern classics of Menotti and Britten. Written in a lively anecdotal style, entries include character descriptions, historical background, and much more.
Synopsis
An invaluable guide for both casual opera fans and aficionados, 100 Great Operas is perhaps the most comprehensive and enjoyable volume of opera stories ever written.
From La Traviata to Aida, from Carmen to Don Giovanni, here are the plots of the world s best-loved operas, told in an engaging, picturesque, and readable manner. Written by noted opera authority Henry W. Simon, this distinctive reference book contains act-by-act descriptions of 100 operatic works ranging from the historic early seventeenth century masterpieces of Monteverdi to the modern classics of Gian-Carlo Menotti.
In addition to highlighting the most important aspects of each opera, the author discusses the main characters, the famous turnings of plot, and the most significant arias. Here, too, is a wealth of anecdotes concerning literary background, past performances and stars, and production problems of the great operas."
About the Author
Guillaume de Laubier, a photographer who has regularly contributed to
Elle Dand#233;cor,
Vogue, and
Maison Franand#231;aise, is the author of several books, including Abramsand#8217;
The Most Beautiful Libraries in the World.
Antoine Pecqueur is a journalist for
Le Monde, the French television channel Mezzo, and the classical music periodical
La Lettre du Musicien.