The normative edition for all who sing mdash; choir and congregation alike mdash; containing all hymns and service music.
#4471348 in eBooks 2011-12-05 2011-12-05File Name: B00BISGJFI
Review
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful. The Best Polemic for OperaBy gtra1nWhy does opera exist as a form? Why do people attend operas; and listen to them? Why should you do so? This classic; brilliant book by Kerman makes the case clearly and strongly.Opera is drama; beyond the staged spectacles and emblambed warhorses that seem to draw the biggest audiences; opera exists to convey drama; especially the drama of interior actions; emotions and existence. This is why characters are singing; not merely speaking.Kerman uses the examples; in case study form; of arguably histories greatest operas to point out why the form exists and thrives; and also what makes a work good; and what makes one fail. He begins with Monteverdi and ends with 20th century works like "Wozzeck" and "The Rakes Progress;" while also covering Verdi; Wagner; Mozart. His chapter on Mozarts operas is one of the greatest pieces of musical critical thinking that has been written; it explains the greatness of Mozart as an opera composer and also the near-greatness; and flaws; of "Don Giovanni" and "Cosi fan tutte." Kerman also points out what some popular works fail as drama; and thus as opera.This is the single best work to introduce listeners to the form. Highest recommendation.9 of 9 people found the following review helpful. ... opera deep enough to read -this- I want to recommend the original version as wellBy J. HarrisIf youre into opera deep enough to read -this- I want to recommend the original version as well. The very controversial things that the author tried to smooth over in the revised edition are actually things that I (mostly) -liked-. One of the main points of the book is to -be- critical of opera; that there are some composers and operas that just -arent- that great (despite their massive popularity). Most people dont see opera like pop music... there are guilty pleasures among great songs. Kermans point is that there are a LOT of operas that are not so great and we should stop treating them all as jewels in a way that we would never do with other types of music. In the original; he had the guts to -be- controversial... if not always PC.In short; read this. But then; read the original... just understand that some of his rants there are meant to stir the pot; which; IMO opera definitely needs.13 of 17 people found the following review helpful. a different look on operaBy A CustomerThe comon view of opera is recitative=drama; arias=music; and therefore not drama. Kerman makes a different (and therefore genuine) claim. he says that in opera the music IS the drama. To illustrate this; he enters a thorough venture in the world of opera; from the first masterpiece - Monteverdis "orfeo" to wagner and modern operas. The work includes a discussion of the works of such giants as verdi and mozart; and also a critical look at the Leitmotive technics. Kerman is imaginative; provocative; write in a clear language. altough the book demands a background in opera appreciation. It does not demands a musical background. To some it is almost "the bible" of opera understanding. A master achievement.