We loved it.
An "inside baseball" look at the currently reigning stars of the world of opera. Thoroughly engaging, even for a novice, and hard to put down. The author captures the personalities of his interviewees, both in their own words, and by his descriptions. Worth the price of admission alone is the interview with rising star Danielle de Niese on the requirements of cardio fitness, the physical risks of performance from flying sea shells (!), and her avid use of social media to connect with her following.
Rarely does an author bring so much passion to his work (the author is a doctor by day, an opera fanatic by night and weekend). The dedication to the art form, and the excitement is on every page here. He himself offers the best explanation: "Opera touches the very core of the human condition. It has a force of truth, or “Satyagraha”, a very appropriate name for a contemporary opera. Opera is sublime music that expresses and illustrates love, desire, duty, friendship, loyalty, jealousy, power, greed, death, murder, war, religion, mythology… what makes us human. And it does so by way of the ultimate art form that encompasses the musical, theatrical and visual arts, including instrumental playing, singing, acting, scenery, costumes, props, lighting, prose, poetry… "
Outstanding publication, not to be missed. Give a look to the Opera Lively web site from whence it came as well.
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