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
The Most Beautiful Universities in the World invites readers to discover more than 20 hallowed halls of higher learning, from the University of Bolognaandmdash;the Western worldandrsquo;s first university, founded in 1088andmdash;to the Sorbonne in France to Cambridge University in England to Yale University in the United States and many other architecturally significant universities in between. Following his acclaimed books on the worldandrsquo;s most beautiful libraries and opera houses, photographer Guillaume de Laubier now turns his lens toward a new aspect of world heritage. Sumptuous photographs showcase amphitheaters, libraries, reception halls, and hidden gardens, while the text describes the history of each campus, its architecture, research disciplines, and reference collections.and#160;and#160;
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.