The Grove Book of Operas

Purchased this as “Like New” hardcover. So that was a deal in itself. Similar to another reviewer, the print in the book is quite small. For those who struggle with small print, this book may be a challenge for you. Aside from that, I like the fact the book listed the operas in alphabetical order; presented a background history ; and summarized the scenes by act. The glossy illustrations for some operas were a plus. I am a novice and am rediscovering the art so “experts” may disagree with my comments. However, what matters most is that it suits me. To each his own.

The prior "customer reviewer" wrote a great review in MOST respects. HOWEVER, he stated the following:"I own both, and while the Book borrows some material from the Dictionary, most of the entries have been modified to reach a broader audience."Huh?! I, too, own Grove's four-volume edition. And, as I randomly select and compare any of its "opera" entries with the analogous entries in this smaller, single-volume edition (a copy of which I've checked out from my public library), I see, again and again, that virtually all such entries are roughly "98% IDENTICAL". In other words, virtually all of the entries (i.e., opera synopses with commentaries) that ARE included in this single-volume edition were (almost) simply copied VERBATIM from the four-volume edition. That's not a bad thing, but just don't be misled by the above-quoted remark from that other reviewer.So, why would anybody ever bother buying the MUCH costlier four-volume edition? Well, it depends on your needs. If ALL you need are "story synopses" and commentaries for the approximately 250 operas that happen to be included here, then look no further.But if you want coverage of Berlioz' "Damnation of Faust" (not to mention "hundreds and hundreds" of still less popular yet noteworthy operas--a goodly number of which are available as CD recordings, new or used), you won't find it here. Moreover, this edition includes ONLY opera synopses and commentaries, not biographies of the composers or discussions of operatic terms, performers, venues, techniques, and much else.My own justification for considering purchasing the single-volume "Book" edition [specifically, its 1997 "first-edition" version (whose "more tastefully restrained" cover art, and many of whose color illustrations, I happen to prefer to those of this 2006 edition)] is that it could prove handy, now and again, to have this much more wieldy book at hand while I'm casually lounging and preparing to view an opera DVD. (This hardcover book is about 9.5 inches tall and weighs "only" about 3 pounds & four ounces. By contrast, EACH softcover volume of the complete "Dictionary" edition is significantly taller, wider and thicker; and the weight is about 6.5 pounds!)If you just can't afford the four-volume Grove "Dictionary" edition but you'd like succinct synopses for far more than just "250" operas, consider either "The NEW Penguin Opera Guide" (specifically the "2001" edition!) OR, better still, its original 1993 incarnation, namely, "The Viking Opera Guide" (IF you can find the latter for a reasonable price via the used-book market!). I happen to own the "Viking," too, btw.If you're still unsure which book to buy, well, compare and contrast all these books at your nearest public library branch that has happens to have 'em.

This book is helpful to those seeking to know more about opera. Composers, plots, performers, performances, h& history all with interesting facts and stories. A well put together reference to operas.

The writing is so small and so cramped it’s really hard to read even though it has a lot of information

I have been collecting all sorts of opera write-ups over the years -- this volume, alongside the ones by John Freeman and the single-volume by Henry Simon. This is the most erudite compendium by far.

This is a huge book with one focus: Opera. It contains full plot synopses, cast lists, singers, composers, literary and social history, and a whole lot more! Written so that it is understandable for the beginner in opera. Be sure to get the second edition. It's a power house of information!

Purchased this as a gift for a friend who loves opera, my friend loves this book and I was able to make this choice because Amazon provides so much feedback from purchasers and it made it so much easier for me to select this book for my friend.

If you really want to know a bunch of detail about quite a few operas, this book is for you. The only issue is that the print is rather small. I can read it, but need good light.

This is a fantastic book. Lent my first copy to a friend who never returned it. Now I have it again. Great.

An inexpensive guide to all the major works with a full synopsis of the stories that I wanted. Very pleased anid it will give me many hours of pleasure.

Bought as prersent. Just what was wanted

Excelente libro. Además, nos dice cuáles son los números más importantes de la ópera para que los identifiquemos sin tener que escuchar la ópera entera, podamos escuchar su mejor música, y luego decidir si la queremos ver, o crearnos una lista de reproducción. Muy práctico. Como crítica, citaría que dan, a mi juicio, un peso excesivo a óperas del siglo XX que se representan muy poco o nada, y en cambio de compositores como Mascagni, Leoncavallo o Cimarosa (por poner tres ejemplos), sólo comentan una ópera, y de Paisiello no comentan ninguna (esto son ejemplos nada más, obviamente faltan muchas cosas de los siglos XIX y anteriores). Como el volumen tiene unas 700 páginas, por cada ópera del siglo XX que comentan y que a poca gente le gusta están quitando una de otros compositores que creo que gustan más al público general. De todas formas, este libro me parece magnífico.

much thicker and more comprehensive than the old Victor book which I grew up with. Baroque opera is well served here. This was my Christmas present to myself.