Beautifully illustrated and richly detailed, The Billboard Illustrated Encyclopedia of Opera examines the history and development of opera, from its roots in the theatrical choral dances of ancient Greece, through the sublime compositions of Handel and Mozart and on to the groundbreaking works of Verdi, Wagner and beyond. The comprehensive text, with over 200 opera synopses, is supported by over 500 vivid illustrations, bringing to life the visual splendour and emotionally charged atmosphere of the opera house.

• Written and edited by a team of experts in the field
• Organized chronologically by era, each chapter begins with an introductory section outlining the historical, social and cultural background of the period, together with discussion of developments in orchestration and in musical and compositional techniques
• Each section contains biographies of the major composers, librettists and singers of the period, examining their lives and key works
• Detailed synopses of over 200 operas are given, outlining the plots and characters
• Recommended Recording boxes suggest the best CDs and DVDs available for listening to and watching opera at home
• Popular Melody boxes explore snatches of music from the world of opera that have become well-known through the popular media
• Cross-referencing enables the reader to follow a subject of interest in more detail
• Thematic entries can be traced throughout the book, developing subjects such as opera houses and companies, or stage and scenery
• The extensive reference section includes a glossary and bibliography for further reading

Ideal for background reading, studying or as a reference volume, The Billboard Illustrated Encyclopedia of Opera combines academic authority with real accessibility, making the book ideal for both beginners and seasoned opera fans.