Les Troyens: The Opera Lively Guides (Volume 1)

"... Les Troyens is the greatest opera ever written." W. J. Turner

"... an opera of visionary beauty and splendor, compelling in its epic sweep, fascinating in the variety of its musical invention... it recaptures the tragic spirit and climate of the ancient world." David Cairns

No opera would be more fitting than Berlioz s towering masterpiece to open this series of guides published by Opera Lively Press.

The guide includes an introduction to the circumstances of composition of the piece, Hector Berlioz s biography, a list of characters and musical numbers, a detailed synopsis, and the full libretto with English translation. See how Virgil s Aeneid was adapted for the libretto, read about the opening night and subsequent performance history, and explore the real Troy and the real Carthage. Musical aspects of the piece are discussed in terms of the score and the voice types (and singers) for the roles, with links to video clips. Recordings are listed and reviewed, as are historical and modern productions. Interviews with recent performers of the work, Anna Caterina Antonacci and Bryan Hymel, are also included.

Luiz Gazzola is the senior editor of Opera Lively, and the author of Opera Lively The Interviews.