As this collection demonstrates, beneath that ornate and unfamiliar music are stories of fantasy, romance and suspense that have enchanted young and old for centuries. The metropolitan operas book of opera stories for children. The barefoot book of stories from the opera audiobook by. Most are of the fairy tale variety, while a couple, carmen, aida are more mature in nature. Freeman offers brief composer biographies 72 of them, relevant background, and the basics on whos who and what happens in each of 150 operas. Buy the orchard book of opera stories new ed by geras, adele isbn. The complete opera book by gustav kobbe free ebook. You will find a large family of little black dwarfs who lived under the river, and you will find a splendid hero. It was published in volume form in late march 1910 by pierre lafitte. Opera for dummies cheat sheet as an opera fan, you may be familiar with the range of opera voices and basic opera terms. Nothing can really compare to seeing one of these works in person by a great opera company, but this book is a fantastic way to indtroduce your children to fantastic stories and the world of opera in a way other than the actual music. The random house book of opera stories book, 1998 worldcat. Ian beck this beautiful collection captures all the thrills of a night at the opera. The stories have been put together by a man named richard wagner.
He put them together in such a way that they make one long and wonderful story. Some of the more complicated stories are told in the firstperson and i think these are the best stories in the book. And ere her ear might hear her heart had heard, nor sought she sign for witness of the word. Those in the orchestra i thought would never have ceased applauding, by beating the bows of their violins against the music desks. Step inside the world of opera and discover the same human foibles, joys and tensions of of everyday life, all set to some of the most compelling stories. If youre a more recent aficionado, you may benefit from tips on how to choose an opera to attend and what to do when youre at the opera house.
Mar 18, 2011 step inside the world of opera and discover the same human foibles, joys and tensions of of everyday life, all set to some of the most compelling stories and most beautiful voices. This striking collection of stories, retold with children in mind, were specially selected for easy accessibility. Opera stories most persons attending an opera wish to know only its story without reading its entire libretto. Every good operatic library has at least one synopsis book, and as far as opera books for kids go, this is the goto for operatic stories. An indepth look at ten of worlds available in dvd ship this item this item is available online through marketplace sellers. When these little children grew up, they told the same stories to their children. Opera plots form the backdrop to the rich music and staging that make the opera experience. A revised edition from 1954 by the earl of harewood is known as kobbes complete opera book. Aug 19, 2012 free kindle book and epub digitized and proofread by project gutenberg. It was first published as a serialization in le gaulois from 23 september 1909, to 8 january 1910. Stories of one hundred and twenty operas with sevenhundred illustrations and descriptions of twelvehundred victor opera records. The story of a young chorus girl, christine a young talented singer who, with the right training, could become world famous.
Some stories are better kept secret our next opera retells the greek myth of pandoras box in an exciting new opera with music by alex woolf, and a libretto by dominic kimberlin who we are happy to work with again after his wonderful goldilocks and the three little pigs two years ago. To help you follow the action, weve outlined the stories from the most frequently performed operas. Excellent book, very complete, used for students of opera. Go to the editions section to read or download ebooks. Stories from the opera by husain shahrukh abebooks. One of them ne le, written by darcie little badger, is a ff story about lesbians in space with lots of cute puppies. For 75 cents, record buyers could learn the plots and production histories of the most popular operas of the day, enjoy illustrations of favorite singers in costumes, and most importantly, have in hand a list of victor records, with catalog numbers, of excerpts. Sing me a story, the metropolitan opera book of opera stories for. The complete opera book the stories of the operas, together with 400 of the leading airs and motives in musical notation. Opera stories is published for this reason and contains, in few words, the stories divided into acts of 174 operas, 6 ballets and one mystery play.
Generally, the stories are told well, in a way that would be understandable to children. Though discouraged by the creatures he meets, sandy is magically transformed during a storm and his shell becomes a part of a production at houston. The story of wagners opera the authorized edition of the metropolitan opera guild, inc. The victrola or victor book of the opera was an ingenious strategy to promote sales of victor label discs of opera excerpts. The stories of these magical operas are told with faithfulness to the originals and instill a sense of wonder. Oct 01, 1989 jane rosenbergs delightful retellings for children of the greatest operaswhether the tales are read as introductions to a opera or to relive a production already seen, art and text combine to give a clear understanding of plot, scene, and character. Buy 100 great operas and their stories a new rev and abridged ed 1st anchor books ed by simon, henry w. Stories of the great operas, by veteran opera news writercriticeditor john w. The barefoot book of stories from the opera by shahrukh husain. The complete opera book the stories of the operas, together with 400 of the leading airs and motives in musical notation book. The first page of each story is a picture of all the main opera characters with their names underneath, so the children can refer to this page if the story. First published in 1912, this is the second edition of what would, by 1976, become a series of thirteen separate, and everexpanding, versions of the victrola book of the opera, a wonderfully illustrated tome detailing every operatic record released by victor records.
The text and illustrations exude the glamour, passion, and lyricism of opera. They include the magic flute, aida, carmen, the cunning little vixen, turandot, and. Jane rosenbergs delightful retellings for children of the greatest operaswhether the tales are read as introductions to a opera or to relive a production already seen, art and text combine to give a clear understanding of plot, scene, and character. After he had told these stories in words, he told them again in a more beautiful way. Nothing can really compare to seeing one of these works in person by a great opera company, but this book is a fantastic way to indtroduce your children to fantastic stories and the world of opera. If you want to deepen your opera experience, perhaps even head toward opera geekdom, these five books are your answer.
Mayhew introduces characters and catches each story s high spots with tableaux and individual portraits of gorgeously costumed figures. But came and stood above him newly dead, and felt his death upon her. You will find beautiful maidens who lived in a river. Simon, this distinctive reference book contains actbyact descriptions of 100 operatic works ranging from the historic. A book of operas, their histories, their plots and their. Operas, stories, plots, juvenile literature the random house book of opera stories open library donate. Find the metropolitan opera on facebook opens new window find the metropolitan opera on twitter opens new window find the metropolitan opera on instagram opens new window find the metropolitan opera on instagram opens new window. Travel the stars with 25 of the best space opera books book. Let this book once and for all dispel any notions that children will not like opera. The stories of these operas and 120 others are told, clearly and concisely, in this companion volume to the highly successful metropolitan open stories of the great operas. Sing me a story the metropolitan operas book of opera stories. There are also extensive notes about opera houses, behindthescenes terminology, famous opera houses and composers, and more.
In these stories you will find some wonderful giants. While rehearsing at the opera populaire, where weird and unexplainable things happen, she captures the attention and the heart of the phantom, or as the opera populaire call him. Jane rosenbergs delightful retellings for children of the greatest operas whether the tales are read as introductions to a opera or to relive a. It gives one a chance to learn about operas before going to see them, or listen to the music. Internet archive bookreader the victrola book of the opera. Page 265 ganhardine on land, and led from ship with swift and reverent hand iseult. Jane rosenbergs delightful retellings for children of the greatest operaswhether the tales are read as introductions to a opera or to relive a production already. The complete opera book is a guide to operas by american music critic and author gustav kobbe first published posthumously in the united states in 1919 and the united kingdom in 1922. Heres a list of some of my favorite books about opera, suitable for. The seven operatic stories in this beautiful collection are each proceeded by an introduction about the origins of the story. An illustrated retelling of the plots of fifteen wellknown operas. My children, ages 5 and 2, and i, a musician mom, love this book.
American dirt, oprahs new book club pick, is fueling a. Oprahs message about american dirt, her book clubs new title. The random house book of opera stories open library. Delightful and antireverentialsunday times londonwith an encyclopedic knowledge of opera and a delightful dash of irreverence, sir denis forman throws open the world of opera its structure, composers, conductors, and artistsin this hugely informative guide. An invaluable guide for both casual opera fans and aficionados, 100 great operas is perhaps the most comprehensive and enjoyable volume of opera stories ever written. The story of a young chorus girl, annie a young talented singer who, with the right training, could become world famous. Free kindle book and epub digitized and proofread by project gutenberg. Large collection of classical music articles and resources. The metropolitan opera s book of opera stories for children by jane rosenberg 1989, hardcover at the best online prices at ebay. This book also stands well on its own since the operas they chose are often already based on childrens stories. The story of alma, the cat who just wanted to sing opera like her owner, is adorable and well. The novel is partly inspired by historical events at the paris opera during the nineteenth century and an. The victrola book of the opera 19 the public domain. Jane rosenbergs delightful retellings for children of the greatest operaswhether the tales are read as introductions to a opera or to relive a.
The top 10 space opera books or series of all time. Simon, this distinctive reference book contains actbyact descriptions of 100 operatic works ranging from the historic early seventeenth century masterpieces of. The random house book of opera stories by adele geras. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. This is a delightful book about some of the most popular opera stories, told in easytounderstand language for children, with beautiful illustrations. The random house book of opera stories adele geras on. This is a great addition to the first volume of the stories of the great operas. Page 31 stentorian lungs, the effect was electricity itself, for the whole of the performers on the stage, and those in the orchestra, as if actuated by one feeling of delight, vociferated bravo. This is a well done book that highlights well known operas and tells the stories in a way that is easy for young children to follow and understand.