The Complete Opera Book / The Stories of the Operas, together with 400 of the Leading Airs and Motives in Musical Notation

Name: The Complete Opera Book / The Stories of the Operas, together with 400 of the Leading Airs and Motives in Musical Notation
Author: Gustav Kobbé

By Gustav Kobbé

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About This Book

The book presents concise synopses of a wide range of operas grouped by schools and composers, accompanied by musical notation of principal airs and motifs. It outlines the plots and dramatic highlights of each work, summarizes stylistic characteristics across Italian, French, German, Russian, and modern theaters, and provides composer-focused discussions and performance notes. Illustrations and portraits appear alongside indexes and curated lists of leading numbers, while editorial notes guide readers on editorial inconsistencies in early editions. The arrangement balances narrative summaries with musical examples to serve both general readers and performers seeking an accessible reference to opera repertoire.

About the Author

Gustav Kobbé

Gustav Kobbé was an influential musicologist and writer known for his contributions to music appreciation and opera literature. His notable work, "The Complete Opera Book," serves as a comprehensive guide to the stories of operas, including musical notation for key airs and motives. Kobbé also authored "How to Appreciate Music," which aims to enhance the understanding and enjoyment of music for general audiences. His writings reflect a deep passion for music and a commitment to making it accessible to a wider public. Through his various works, Kobbé has left a lasting impact on the field of music education and appreciation.