Story of Opera Author:Richard Somerset-Ward Now available in an affordable paperback format, The Story of Opera> celebrates the 400-year history of opera. With separate chapters devoted to the great national schools of opera-Italian, German, French, and Russian-it tells the stories of composers, librettists, impresarios, singers, conductors, and even audiences. Beautifully illustra... more »ted with historical images and a wealth of photographs from notable contemporary productions, this book offers both an introduction to the general reader and fresh insights for longtime buffs.« less