The Metropolitan Opera: Stories of the Great Operas (Vol. 1) (v. 1)

Even with the advent of surtitles and Met titles, intelligent operagoers have an idea of what's going to transpire on stage before they attend a performance. The Metropolitan Opera: Stories of the Great Operas, by veteran Opera News writer-critic-editor John W. Freeman, is a good way to pick up such knowledge. Freeman offers brief composer biographies (72 of them), relevant background, and the basics on who's who and what happens in each of 150 operas. His writing is unambiguous, succinct, and informative. The Metropolitan Opera will prove useful to both operatic newcomers and experienced opera attendees.