Concise history of opera (A)

ORREY (Leslie).— A CONCISE HISTORY OF OPERA. 254 illustrations, 32 in colour. Thames and Hudson. London. (1972).14,5x21 cm. 252 págs. B.

“Operatic masterpieces rank among the supreme achievements of both music and drama. Yet a fine operatic performance also generates an indefinable aura compounded of theatrical excitement, extravagance and a sense of occasion. Mr. Orrey treats opera as a branch of the theatre, whose essential features are dramatic confrontation and dialogues, intensified by music on the stage and in the orchestra. In his lavishly illustred text he surveys not only musical evolution, but changing  theatrical conditions, theatre architecture and the increasing influence of the producer (...)” — retirado do texto da contra-capa.

Profusamente ilustrado nas páginas do texto.