The Complete Operas Of Verdi (Da Capo Paperback)

Any lover of Verdi and opera, Italian or not, should have this book in their collection. Osborne presents an easy read, although sometimes too intellectual, but, his chronological organization exemplifies the development and growth of one of the five or so greatest operatic composers to have ever lived. And one can appreciate Verdi's brilliance and how he managed to compose one opera after another into his eightieth years. Many will argue, with good reason, that his last two operas, Otello and Falstaff were his most magnificent compositions. The reader is well enabled to understand how Verdi progressed to Otello and Falstaff in an almost step by step process covering some sixty years.

Charles Osborne's book is comprehensive and speaks to many issues in opera. The musical examples that accompany the discussion help the reader to understand the plot to the enjoyment of the reader. It is a welcome addition to anyone who wishes to gain a better understanding of the operas and their significance during the specific timeline in Verd's artistic development.

Osborne has organized his presentation well. He devotes a chapter to each of Verdi's operas. The chapters are arranged chronologically according to when the opera was first presented. Interesting and very readable. This is one of those rare finds that one would want to keep and refer to again and again.

I was weened on Verdi music but find this volume fascinatingly fact filled while doing so with brevity. A really important addition to my library.

Great book

I came to this site as the result of the last Texaco Metropolitan Opera broadcast. A listener had submitted a three-part question based on her study of Charles Osborne's Complete Operas of Verdi. She referred to it as a three volume work. I immediately became excited as the edition that I own is a single work. I therefore imagined that there was a new edition. It did occur to me, however, that as this listener is in England, she might just be in posession of a different version of the same book (which I now presume to be the case).I have owned a copy of this work for over ten years. Having read the work from cover to cover several times, I cannot begin to guess how many times I have referred to individual chapters for reference. Mr. Osborne writes in a style which is easy to read for the Opera fanatic, as well as the scholar. The work contains chapters on each of Verdi's operas (including those which are relatively obscure in The United States). He gives background on the original sources as well as the contemporary historic events of the time.I reccommend this book without reservation.

This book is for me, being a Verdi fan ever since, that important that I am translating it from the English into Dutch language, in the first place for myself, and also to be able to give some more information to my fellowmembers of our amateur operasinging company.

I would highly recommend this book.It is well written and gives a vivid insight into the way Verdi approached his work,especially in his choice of plot.It also shows the struggle he had over the censorship of his work and his refusal to compromise with inferior libretti and historical themes.It is very readable.