Opera for Dummies

Did not receive the audio CD which is supposed to accompany the book, so much of the material discussed is pointless.

This is a great book. But there's nothing "dumb" or "for dummies" about it. Any person who is bright and has a sense of humor and who is just beginning to be interested in opera will find this funny, clever, irreverent book to be fascinating. Plus, the included CD is of high quality and has a great selection of tracks.In sum, this book (while being not as hefty or as chock full of information as competing introduction-to-opera guides) is an intelligant, useful, user-friendly welcome to the universe of opera. The genuine passion of the authors shines through, a trait not found in many of the more traditional guides. All in all, "Opera for Dummies" is not at all for dummies, and is a "must-have" item for the opera beginner.

I feel compelled to give a standing ovation to the Authors of this book. I'll admit it, I'm an opera lover and live for the purity of moment when a human voice, a dynamic orchestra, and a fantastic stage setting all come together in a powerful moment and literally raise every hair across my body. That thrill is rapturous and intoxicating.When I first picked up the book, even I was skeptical about how interesting this book could be. However, from the opening page the humor in it had me laughing while giving me a greater insight into the opera world. You'll get an education in the components of opera, styles of opera, composers and their contributions, opera etiquette and some just plain fascinating stories about the lives of people who advanced this art form. If the Authors could give High School students across the country some of the toungue in cheek insight into opera this book is filled with, we would see a dramatic increase in the opera crowd and gain new converts in the process. Opera seems to be on the rise thanks in part to a book like this, Broadway Musicals and movies such as Moulin Rouge that allow people to take baby steps towards the ulitmate, bonafide, time honored Classics. Way to go David Pogue & Scott Speck, you definately deserve a Bravi! (Note to readers, see page 134 under variations of Bravo)

I bought this book when I knew absolutely nothing about opera, other than a lot of big people sing very loudly in Italian. After reading this excellent book, I now consider myself an opera snob, I mean I know when to say Bravo or Brava or Bravi. Okay, well actualy I am not an opera snob, but after reading this book I know enough about opera to be one, if I so chose.For anyone who wants to know anything and everything about opera this is an excellent resource. It is entertaining and Pogue and Speck have a humorous and easy to follow style. I highly recommend this book.

"Opera for Dummies" is my favorite of the several "For Dummies" books I've read. I enjoy classical music and musical comedy but was always put off by the mystique of opera, and this book was just what I needed to break that barrier. The authors patiently take us on a quick chronological tour of opera, give us a peek into a fictional aspiring opera singer's career (as she lies about her age!), and briefly describe the plots of several dozen of the best-known operas. The bulk of your opera company's offerings will come out of this standard repertoire each year, so with a little study you can become an instant expert.The book includes a handy CD containing operatic snippets from Mozart to the present. The book's corresponding CD guide is timed to the second, and the authors cue you in to dramatic "color" changes in the orchestra and singing, so be sure your CD player displays play times to the second.Both beginners and seasoned opera buffs alike will enjoy the witty, irreverent plot synopses (said of one lusty hero: "He wasn't exactly thinking with his BRAIN"). After I finished "Opera for Dummies," I really put it to the test--I talked myself into a free dress rehearsal of "Tales of Hoffman" and enjoyed it thoroughly!