First Nights at the Opera

What was it like at the opening night of Mozartand#8217;s Don Giovanni or Wagnerand#8217;s Das Rheingold? This glittering introduction to the world of opera takes us behind the scenes during premiere performances of five extraordinary operas.

"A rare and wonderful cultural history."and#151;Philip Kennicott, Washington Post

and#147;An absorbing tangle of minutiae about performing circumstances, personalities, conventions, expectations, critical responses, gossip. . . . This book is readable. Addictively.and#8221;and#151;Michael White, Opera Now

and#147;This thoroughly enjoyable and informative book will delight all opera lovers; highly recommended.and#8221;and#151;Library Journal

A behind-the-scenes look at the premieres of five extraordinary operas

What was it like at the opening night of Mozart's Don Giovanni or Wagner's Das Rheingold? This glittering introduction to the world of opera takes us behind the scenes during premiere performances of five extraordinary operas.

"A rare and wonderful cultural history."--Philip Kennicott, Washington Post

"An absorbing tangle of minutiae about performing circumstances, personalities, conventions, expectations, critical responses, gossip. . . . This book is readable. Addictively."--Michael White, Opera Now

"This thoroughly enjoyable and informative book will delight all opera lovers; highly recommended."--Library Journal

Thomas Forrest Kelly is Morton B. Knafel Professor of Music at Harvard University.