Opera

A sumptuously illustrated history of opera brought to life by stunning photography, following the same format as Ballet: The Definitive Illustrated History.
Experience the passion and drama of the world's greatest operas with this sumptuously illustrated visual guide.
Immerse yourself in more than 75 years of the world's most celebrated operas and discover the fascinating stories behind them. Explore the lives of opera singers, such as Maria Callas, Luciano Pavarotti, and Jonas Kaufmann. Meet composers such as Mozart, Wagner, and Britten, and the librettists with whom they collaborated to create the magical blends of words and music that make up opera.
From its origins in the 17th-century courts of Italy to live screenings in public spaces today, Opera: The Definitive Illustrated History follows the history of opera from Monteverdi's L'Orfeo in 1607, to Cosi fan Tutte, La Bohème, and modern operas such as Brokeback Mountain. It explains musical terminology, traces historical developments, and sets everything in cultural context.
Filled with photographs of all the key figures and performances, this book revels in the sets and costumes that make up the grand spectacle of opera. It also explores the great opera houses of the world, such as La Scala in Milan, the Met in New York, and the Sydney Opera House. Opera: The Definitive Illustrated History is the essential book for anyone who wants to understand and enjoy the constantly evolving world of opera.

Alan Riding was the European cultural correspondent for The New York Times for 12 years. He was previously bureau chief for The Times in Paris, Madrid, Rio de Janeiro, and Mexico City. He was awarded the Maria Moors Cabot Prize by Columbia University for his coverage of Latin America.
Leslie Dunton-Downer received a PhD with Distinction in comparative literature from Harvard. She has served as a lecturer at her alma mater, and is a trustee of the Harvard Advocate and a member of the Society of Fellows. She was a 2014 fellow at the American Academy in Berlin.