The History of Opera

By: Richard Fawkes

Narrated by: Robert Powell

Length: 5 hrs and 17 mins

Publisher's summary

Opera, said Moliére, is the most expensive noise known to man. From its beginnings in the 16th Century, through to today when there are as many musical styles as there are composers, opera has fascinated, infuriated, delighted, been censored, been banned, excited riots, even won a nation its freedom. Here is the colorful story of sometimes temperamental composers and even more temperamental singers working in an art form which has produced some of man's noblest artistic creations. This absorbing history is illustrated by over 100 musical examples by Naxos artists as well as some of the greatest singers of the 20th century including Enrico Caruso and Fyodor Chaliapin.

Download the accompanying reference guide.

©1999 NAXOS AudioBooks Ltd. (P)1999 NAXOS AudioBooks Ltd.

Critic reviews

• Indie Award Winner

Beautifully done

I will sunrise historical review of the history of opera with lovely musical pieces, inserted in between a well reviewed and interestingly delivered audiobook. Some areas, more fascinating than others, but all important for grand view of the history of one of the most fascinating human musical theater discoveries.

Great overview!

This book provided just the overview I wanted. I studied violin in an orchestra and privately for years but somehow missed any history of opera completely; my music education didn't even include it.

Now that I am pursuing opera as a hobby this book provided fast and interesting insight to the historical context of many operas and composers. At times it was over whelming; I'll never remember these new names! But the book moves fast enough that you don't get bored and provides enough to keep you interested and wanting to look up more on your own.

Missing the music

Many of the musical illustrations appear to be either missing or cut out, making it a poor listen, and the history itself, while covering the major names with brief biographical detail and few technical terms, offers little depth or insight.

loved it

Would you consider the audio edition of The History of Opera to be better than the print version?

yes the print version couldn't have the music

What did you like best about this story?

The musical examples

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

no

Any additional comments?

I would recommend this for anyone interested in opera or history in general

Great Material Horrible Chapter Organization

I liked the material and the reading of thus book. I also found the music examples very useful. Unlike other reviewers, I had no trouble with the music samples. My major gripe about this audiobook is that it is organized into 6 sections which make no logical sense. It would have been much better if the audiobook was divided by chapters that matched the accompanying PDF. Navigation between the chapters would have been much better.

Missing Music Ruins This One

Probably would have been a favorite if it didn't skip a lot of the music! Very irritating to have a piece of music introduced and then skipped. I wouldn't recommend this one to anyone as a result.

somewhat disappointing

I would recommend this volume to anyone with little or no knowledge of the history of opera, but not to anyone moderately familiar with this musical genre. The last half-hour consists of opera anecdotes, which, for the most part, are disposable. Also, many times, a musical illustration is announced, only to not be actually played. An alternate recommendation is 'The History of Classical Music', by the same author, which held my attention throughout. It even has an excellent section on opera.