Losing the Plot In Opera: Myths And Secrets of the World's Great Operas - Softcover

Castles-Onion, Brian

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1458779556 ISBN 13: 9781458779557

Publisher: ReadHowYouWant, 2012

Synopsis

The world of opera is a mystery to some and a comedy to others, but it is deadly serious to the people who live and breathe it. Opera conductor Brian Castles-Onion has seen opera from all sides and has decided to step back and reflect on the great operas and on the people who bring them to the stage. In this book he offers light-hearted accounts of some of the best-known operas, spiced with anecdotes and behind-the-scenes gossip, as well as his impressions of the famous stereotypes of the operatic world: emotional sopranos, bitchy tenors, incompetent choruses and rebellious orchestras. The operas may be tragic, but Brian's re-tellings of Tosca, La bohme, Turandot, Carmen, Madama Butterfly, La Traviata and more are hilarious - and strangely informative. The specialised worlds of Wagner and Gilbert & Sullivan do not escape his acid wit, and he also casts a wry eye over some of his fellow-conductors. Altogether, this is a book that will delight both the seasoned opera buff and the opera virgin: settle in your armchair and prepare to be entertained!

About this title

About the Author

Brian Castles-Onion is one of the most established and celebrated conductors in the world. He has worked with Opera Australia for many years and has made regular appearances throughout Asia, New Zealand and elsewhere. His operatic repertoire is enormous and, with his witty stand-up style, he is in high demand as a compere and conductor for such major events as Opera in the Park and Opera in the Vineyards. Brian's reputation as an international recording artist, record producer, orchestral arranger and broadcaster is legendary and he has appeared in cabaret in New York, Berlin, London and throughout Australasia. He is also a regular pianist and presenter on ABC children's television - a position he adores!

Edition details

• Publisher: ReadHowYouWant
• Publication date: 2012
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1458779556
• ISBN 13: 9781458779557
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 284