First published in 1996 to great critical and popular acclaim, the Grove Book of Operas, is a collection of synopses and descriptions of over 250 operas. Each succinct yet insightful entry is written by a leading authority on the opera and includes a full synopsis of the plot, a cast list, a note on the singers in the original production, and information on the origins of the work and its literary and social background. Contributions conclude with a brief comment on the particular work's place in operatic history. A glossary offers brief and accessible definitions of terms that may be unfamiliar to the reader. And indices of role names and of arias and ensembles allow the reader to find operas containing their favorite aria or a well-known character.
The second edition brings the book up to date with several recently composed operas and a fascinating introductory essay by David Levin on opera performance in the 21st century. Recent additions to the operatic repertory included for the first time in this edition include Nicholas Maw, Sophie'sChoice; Poul Ruders, A Handmaid's Tale; John Adams, Death of Klinghoffer; and Mark Adamo, Little Women.
Covering all operas in the current repertory along with some less-well-known early and very modern ones, this is an ideal volume for the general opera lover.

Reviews

This outstanding reference, based on the four-volume New Grove Dictionary of Opera, has been revised to create an accessible resource for opera enthusiasts without compromising its scholarly substance. Sadie (Mozart: The Early Years) and Macy (ed., The Grove Book of Opera Singers) bring together initialed contributions from nearly 75 authorities. The resulting 264 multipage entries-four of which are entirely new, including Poul Ruders's A Handmaids Tale-are organized alphabetically by title. A vital reference on the subject. Copyright 2009 Reed Business Information.

"The Grove Book of Operas, Second Edition offers more detail for the seasoned operaphile... A versatile tool for research."--Opera News

"The Grove Book of Operas, Second Edition, should be on every opera-lover's short list of indispensable reference books. Highly recommended."--Gary Hoffman, Opera Today.

PRAISE FOR FIRST EDITION: "Make no mistake: This will be the definitive reference work in opera for many, many years to come."--The Chicago Tribune.

PRAISE FOR FIRST EDITION: "This work will significantly affect not only the way opera is enjoyed in the future, but the way it is made."--The Washington Post.

PRAISE FOR FIRST EDITION: "All inquiries into Opera begin there from now on."--The San Francisco Examiner Chronicle.

PRAISE FOR FIRST EDITION: "For once the hype is right on the money... This may well be the best English-language opera reference available."--Amazon.com