A Dictionary of Opera Characters

by Bourne, Joyce

• ISBN13: 9780199550395
• ISBN10: 0199550395
• Edition: Revised
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2010-05-06
• Publisher: Oxford University Press

Summary

The Dictionary of Opera Characters is a marvelous guide to over 2,500 operatic characters, along with invaluable synopses of over 200 major works. From Arabella to Wozzeck and from Aeneas to Zaida, this book is a wealth of information on the main characters in the repertoire of both opera and operetta, ranging from brief identifications of minor characters to extensive multi-page essays on major figures. Each entry provides a full description of the role, indicates its vocal category, and discusses who first created the part and other notable performers. This new edition has been revised and fully updated, with a fascinating new appendix of contemporary operas of the last ten years, including detailed synopses and world premiere cast lists, plus a list of opera-related web links. Best of all, the volume boasts more than two dozen feature articles on major characters, written by well-known personalities who themselves constitute a who's who of opera. For instance, Placido Domingo discusses the character of Otello, perhaps his greatest role, and Janet Baker writes about Mary Stuart.

Author Biography

Joyce Bourne is the Associate Editor of The Oxford Dictionary of Music and The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Music.

Table of Contents

List of Contributors' Articles

Preface to the Second Edition

Preface to the First Edition

Abbreviations

A Dictionary of Opera Characters

Biographies of Contributors

Composers and Operas

Some Operas of the Past Ten Years (1998-2008)

Opera Web Links

Table of Contents provided by Publisher. All Rights Reserved.