THE BILLBOARD ILLUSTRATED ENCYCLOPEDIA OF OPERA

New York City, NY: Billboard Books, 2004. First Edition. First Printing.. Hardcover. As New/As New Dust Jacket.. New York City, NY: Billboard Books, 2004. Hardcover. As New/As New. First Edition/First Printing. 320 pages. One-volume encyclopedia on subject. Published as part of the now-legendary Series on various musical forms, genres, and traditions by Billboard Books. The First Hardcover Edition. Precedes and should not be confused with all other subsequent editions. Published in a small and limited first print run as a hardcover original only. The First Edition is now scarce. Presents "The Billboard Illustrated Encyclopedia of Opera". A glorious aria to the greatest musical form ever invented in history. "From 'Don Giovanni' to 'Wozzeck', Purcell to Glass, Goethe to Brecht, and Callas to Bartoli, this book offers a comprehensive and accessible guide to the history of opera. Organized chronologically by era, it begins with the roots of opera in classical times and ends with the numerous changes in style and subject in the 20th century. General Editor Stanley Sadie draws on the expertise of a wide range of professional writers, educators, and musicians to place the rise of the operatic tradition in its social and cultural contexts. Unique to this encyclopedia are the six thematic strands developed throughout the book: Opera Houses, Stage and Scene, The Voice, Technique, Performances, and Popular Melody, which allow readers to read sequentially or to follow a single theme" (Publisher's blurb). Other than the late Stanley Sadie, there was surely no one else (except the retired Andrew Porter) who could have pulled this off with such grace, measure, and lucidity. Best-known and revered as the General Editor of the ultimate reference/guide to classical music, the 30-volume "Grove Dictionary of Music And Musicians" (2004), Sadie was also Music Critic for The Times of London and Editor of The Musical Times. An absolute "must-have" title for all lovers of opera and classical music. This title is now collectible. As far as we know, this is the only copy of the First Hardcover Edition/First Printing available online and is in especially fine condition: Clean, crisp, and bright. Please note: Copies available online have serious flaws, are subsequent printings, or are remainder-marked. This is surely an accessible and lovely alternative. A rare copy thus. One of the finest guides on opera. A fine copy. . ISBN 0823077217.