How Do I
A Night at the Opera
Not a guide about the Marx Brothers' movie, but some tips for the novice or buff about preparing for an evening at the opera.
What is opera? and Opera Etiquette
Plotkin, Fred
Opera 101: A complete guide to learning and loving opera
New York: Hyperion, 1994.
MT 95. P675 1994
A wonderful guide for the beginning listener about opera history and types of opera (e.g. comedy, drama, romantic, etc). Includes a discography and text that takes you through each discussed opera and its recording track by track.
Walsh, Michael
Who's afraid of opera?: a highly opinionated, informative, and entertaining guide to appreciating opera
New York: Simon and Schuster, 1994
MT 95. W28 1994
Though somewhat sarcastic in tone, Walsh provides information about opera as an art form, what to do when one attends an opera, and recommended recordings. Check out the chapter entitled: "On singers and singing, or Why are they all so crazy?"
Greenberg, Robert
How to listen to and understand opera
Springfield, Va.: Teaching Co., c1997.
Mus G - How 1-4
A series of 32 lectures on four videocassettes, this series offers a history of opera for "non-technical audiences," designed to enhance the listening experience.
Stories of the operas and their composers
Deaver, Robert
Opera plots made easy: what's really going on at the opera!
New York: Deaver Corporation, 1984.
r MT 95. D42 1984 (at our reference desk)
Concise in its plot summaries and in size! Opera plots are discussed in a few sentences.
The Earl of Harewood, ed.
The new Kobbé's opera book
New York:
G. P. Putnam's Sons, 2000.
(r) MT95.K52 2000x
Provides plot synopses, historical performance information, and musical analyses of more than 300 operas.
Freeman, John W.
The Metropolitan Opera stories of the great operas
New York: Metropolitan Opera Guild: W.W. Norton, 1984.
MT 95. M49 1984 vol. 1
Plot summaries of standard repertoire performed by the Metropolitan Opera.
Rudel, Anthony J.
Tales from the opera
New York: Simon and Schuster, Inc., 1985.
MT 95. R8 1985
Plot summaries in prose format of the "well-known" operas divided into subject categories of "Love and Jealousy," "Religion and the Supernatural," and "History and Humanity."
Sadie, Stanley, ed.
The New Grove dictionary of opera
London: Macmillan Press Unlimited, 1992.
rq ML 102. O6 N5 1992 (in four volumes, 2 reference sets in the department)
Also available as part of the New Grove Dictionary of Music & Musicians through Access PA Power Library, the ONLINE version includes frequent updates. Sadie provides the most detailed information about most opera repertoire and the composers. Plot synopses can be found by the title of the opera, and biographical information about composers is provided.
Librettos
To find opera librettos in the CATALOG use an ADVANCED KEYWORD search by qualifying the SUBJECT [s] "operas librettos" and entering the title of the opera or the composer (if you want to see a list of all of Mozart's operas, for example):
REMEMBER that the titles of the operas should be entered in the original language of the piece! Ideally, you will get better results this way. Also, eliminate definite articles (a, an, the) as you would in English for a proper search. For example:
If you are uncertain of the opera's title in its original language, ask us!
Scores, Recordings, and Videos
To find scores, recordings, or videos in the CATALOG, use a TITLE search. Then click the "Limit/Sort" button on your results page. On this new screen, use the drop-down menu under "MATERIAL type" to select only music scores; music CDs, music LPs/cassettes; videos, or DVDs.
Once again, use the opera's original language title and eliminate definite articles.
Other Resources
Opera Guide: A Recommended Listening and Reading List -- A selected list of materials in the library that can be used to enhance your enjoyment and knowledge of the opera.Opera Theater of Pittsburgh -- To find information about their performances use their web site at http://www.operatheaterpittsburgh.org/.
Pittsburgh Opera -- Look at the current season's schedule and cast lists and find out how to subscribe or get tickets at http://www.pittsburghopera.org
