“At last—a book on opera by one of the most informed and keenest minds ever to address the subject. There is virtually no aspect of this most complex and richly textured art form left unexplored and closely examined in Conrad L. Osborne's brilliantly written study. Osborne brings a scholar's knowledge of opera's 500-year history of changing styles and the intricately woven artistic disciplines that bring opera to life. He also speaks with a life-time of practical experience as a trained singer, actor, pedagogue, and hands-on music critic. Over all is a passionate belief in the integrity of the original creative vision that animates every opera...no one will come away without a deeper knowledge and more sharpened
appreciation of how voices, music, theater, and human ingenuity can blend to make magic.”