Fred Plotkin Libri

Opera is the fastest growing performing art, captivating audiences of all ages with its stunning music, vivid drama, and impressive production values. If you're ready to explore what makes opera so exhilarating, this book is your ideal guide. It serves as a clear, friendly, and comprehensive handbook for anyone eager to appreciate opera, whether through radio, recordings, or live performances. Authored by Fred Plotkin, a respected opera writer and former performance manager at the Metropolitan Opera, this text caters to readers of all musical backgrounds. It covers essential elements of opera, including a brief and engaging history, explanations of key concepts like vocal types and musical conventions, and practical tips for attending your first opera. You'll also find curated lists of recommended books and recordings, along with a thorough traveler's guide to opera houses worldwide. By the end of your journey through this book, you'll be well-equipped to experience and enjoy any opera, thanks to its detailed and enjoyable approach to uncovering the art form's many treasures.

Written for anyone who wishes to better understand classical music, this comprehensive and accessible guide is based on the fundamental principle that developing the skills to truly listen (rather than merely hear) is essential to the proper appreciation of this art form. And whereas encyclopaedic reference books may baffle the beginner with sheer volume of information on offer, "The Art of Listening" provides a more personal approach - a college course in book form led by an inspiring tutor. In clear prose, music expert Fred Plotkin explores a thousand years of music, introducing the reader to more than 100 great works and profiling in depth many significant composers. He illustrates how each piece of music possesses its own unique sound word, which is made even more distinctive by each musician who plays it. All the major instruments of the orchestra are described, and important musical terms are clearly defined, thus making music theory comprehensible for the unitiated. There are conversations with illustrious musicians such as pianist Emanuel Ax, violinst Joshua Bell, singer Marilyn Horne and conductor James Levine, all of whom offer insights about their art. Finally the author provides a carefully chosen discography and advice on getting the most out of live performances.