The Metropolitan Opera guide to recorded opera

the long version

In this guide, a distinguished corps of musicians, critics and discophiles, supported by the world-renowned Metropolitan Opera, New York, evaluate all the complete recordings of the most important and best loved operas in the repertoire. This information source gives the music lover authoritative advice on fine recordings. Employing the combined labours of some of the world's leading musicologists, "The Metropolitan Opera Guide to Recorded Opera" assesses every complete recording ever made of 150 operas fron "The Abduction from the Seraglio" to "Die Zauberflote" - by 72 composers - from Richard Wagner to Scott Joplin. The operas are arranged alphabetically by composer, and chronologically under each composer heading. An introduction to each opera entry details important issues such as textual differences between performances and cuts. The comparative reviews provide comments on sound quality, fidelity to the composer's intentions, and other fundamental points, and each entry ends by recommending one definitive rendition. Whether it is used for recommendations on which recording to buy, or for a bird's-eye view of the recording history of a specific opera, the Guide to Recorded Opera will prove an indispensable addition to the opera lover's library. Casts, dates, and compact disc availability for all the complete recordings of 150 different operas. Critical evaluation by an outstanding authority of each complete recording of each opera. Recommendations for the best recordings of every work. Access to the reviews facilitated by two tables of contents: one organized alphabetically by composer, the other by title. A detailed index by artist.