This book is about the drama that takes place within the world of opera and provides an insight into how opera has evolved and functions. Describing the various ways that composers use the language of music and liaise with their librettists, this work also touches on the functions everyone involved with an opera, including conductors, producers, designers, repetiteurs, the chorus and orchestra, singers, understudies, and the prompter. Training, the audition process, competitions, and the rehearsal schedule are covered as well as a look at how opera has adapted to changing social conditions...

This book is about the drama that takes place within the world of opera and provides an insight into how opera has evolved and functions. Describing the various ways that composers use the language of music and liaise with their librettists, this work also touches on the functions everyone involved with an opera, including conductors, producers, designers, repetiteurs, the chorus and orchestra, singers, understudies, and the prompter. Training, the audition process, competitions, and the rehearsal schedule are covered as well as a look at how opera has adapted to changing social conditions...

This book explains what is actually involved in being a conductor and unravels some of the mystique that surrounds this intensely public profession. The author, who has worked with orchestras and opera companies all over the world, writes about all aspects of the art and craft, and discusses how a career can progress and is the result of the observation of many conductors in action. Written in non-technical language, this book is essential reading for all music lovers, as well as professional aspiring maestri.

This is the first book by an experienced conductor to explore the orchestra's contribution to Mozart's greatest operatic works: Idomeneo, Die Entf hrung aus dem Serail, Die Schauspieldirektor, Le nozze di Figaro, Don Giovanni, Cos fan tutte, La clemenza di Tito, and Die Zauberfl te. It is written for the concert and opera going public who are interested in enlarging their knowledge and appreciation of these masterpieces, but also contains many practical suggestions for aspiring conductors. The text has been inspired by the author's experience of conducting Mozart operas over many years,...