The first and only guide to the history and architecture of Americas famous opera houses The American opera scene has grown with the country; spawning a proliferation of beautiful and enchanting opera houses. This unique guided tour covers almost 100 historical and contemporary opera houses dating from 1765 up to the present--halls such as the Academy of Music in Philadelphia; the San Francisco Opera House; and the Cullen Theater in Houston. Americas opera houses present an eclectic collection of buildings; from converted warehouses to ornate vaudevillian venues and modern concrete and glass structures. The National Trust Guide to Great Opera Houses in America celebrates this dynamic range of architectural types and styles; revealing how European elements were transformed into a distinctly authentic and vital part of Americas architectural and musical heritage. Grouped by geographic region; this easy-to-use resource contains important historical information on structures--some destroyed as well as those still standing--including dates; name changes; seating capacity; and more. Many of the buildings featured are National Historic Landmarks or are listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Almost 140 vintage and recent photographs bring to life these magnificent buildings and the operatic scenes enacted on their stages. Whether used as a travel planner or an armchair reference; this definitive book is a must for music and theater enthusiasts; architects; designers; and preservationists--the perfect front row seat to the dramatic history of opera in America.
#3949695 in eBooks 2008-05-02 2008-05-02File Name: B000TZ0DEY
Review
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. and this is perfect; especially the section on the origins of musicBy B. MaroldI cannot praise this book too highly if your intention is to find material suitable for teaching a class of lay students (not professional musicians). I am reading it for a class I will be giving to kids 8 - 12; and this is perfect; especially the section on the origins of music.The flip side is that this book may not be suitable for the professional; as it is not festooned with references to scholarly works. However; the "Reference" section does give sources in other books; including some not in English; for research into particular instruments. To be sure; you will need a college library and a good interlibrary loan service to get most of the sources; but they are there.Highly recommended.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. A Detailed History; Good ReferenceBy Leslie B. ConklinA very detailed and thorough history. A good reference book to have on-hand. I took lots of notes. Uneven in terms content and depth of detail- more than enough information on some topics; not enough on others.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Very Thorough!By S. J. GreenThis book is a bit dry at times but it is *very* thorough and it has been an interesting read.