The Experience of Opera

Based on Dr. Lang’s experience as music critic of the New York Herald Tribune this book preserves the immediate reactions of a working reviewer his on-the-spot responses to the actual experience of theatrical productions spanning the active repertory from Gluck to the present day. It is at once an introduction to the art of opera and a rich repository of perceptions about the changing nature and esthetics of the musical theater. All of the major composers are discussed: Gluck Mozart Beethoven Rossini Donizetti Bellini Verdi Wagner Puccini Strauss Berg and Stravinsky. There are also chapters on opera buffa verismo French opera Russian opera American opera operetta opera in English and opera in concert form.