Synopses & Reviews
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 Turandot filtered through a modern brain,” wrote Puccini, describing his plans to rework the 18th-century fable by Carlo Gozzi. According to Mosco Carner, Puccinis last and supreme work is an advanced score which, with an orchestration that reflects contemporaries such as Richard Strauss and Stravinsky as well as genuine Chinese rhythms and harmonies, remains true to the Italian vocal tradition. The musicologist Jürgen Maehder analyses of the ending, which Franco Alfano composed from Puccinis sketches. In addition, the great British Soprano, Dame Eva Turner, recalls her experiences of singing the title role, of which she was a legendary interpreter.
Review
“Brilliantly produced and superb value.” —The Sunday Times
Synopsis
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 detailwith 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 translationexcept 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.
About the Author
Giacomo Puccini (1858-1924) was born in Lucca into a family of musicians and composers. His operas, which include Tosca, La Bohème, Madama Butterfly, and Turandot, are among the most frequently performed in the international repertory.