NONFICTION

A History of Opera

by Roger Parker
Abbate, Carolyn & . Norton. 2012. 603p. illus. bibliog. index. ISBN 9780393057218. $45. MUSIC
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Abbate (In Search of Opera) and Parker (music, Kings College London; coeditor, Cambridge Opera Journal) are both distinguished musicologists who have made important contributions in the field of opera studies, so it is not surprising that this impressive volume contains profound insights at every turn. The writing, which is lively, witty, and accessible throughout, is deliberately pitched to the broader opera-loving public; there are no illustrative musical examples or passages rife with technical jargon. The book proceeds in chronological fashion, spanning the birth of opera through 20th-century landmark works such as Wozzeck and Peter Grimes.
VERDICT The authors make no claims to exhaustive coverage and focus instead on the works of the major composers. The sections on Mozart, Rossini, Verdi, and Wagner are particularly illuminating. It is disappointing, however, that only five of the 567 pages are devoted to operas composed in the last 50 years, and the tone of this section seems both handwringing and dismissive. This caveat aside, the book is a valuable addition to the literature and should be part of all music collections.
Reviewed by Larry Lipkis, Moravian Coll., Bethlehem, PA , Dec 01, 2012
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