Comprising a brief biography and chapters written by those who worked with him, such as Janet Baker and Alfred Brendel, this is a celebration of an exceptional, creative life. By the time of his death in 2010 at the age of 84, Sir Charles Mackerras had achieved widespread recognition, recorded extensively and developed into a conductor of major international significance. In addition to areas in which he already had forged a distinctive profile (Janácek, Mozart, Handel, Sullivan) he revisited - and rethought - much of the standard repertoire. The last thirty years were particularly momentous in the coming to fruition of so manycherished projects: not only the Janácek operas but the Gilbert and Sullivan series, the Mozart operas, the two Beethoven cycles, other projects with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra (Schumann and Brahms at Edinburgh; the outstanding late Mozart) and at the Royal Opera House and the Met. Unspoilt by fame, and undeterred by personal tragedies and increasing physical frailty, he remained productive and inventive: for him music-making, whether with world-classsingers and orchestras or with students, was a kind of joyous oxygen that kept him going right to the end. A detailed account of his life is complemented by contributions from performers and scholars who worked closely with Mackerras, as well as interviews with his family. The book is richly illustrated with photographs and documents, and includes a comprehensive discography along with listings of many of his concert and opera performances. While SirCharles's whole life is considered, emphasis is given to his final quarter century, a period in which so many important projects were realized. This book celebrates and epitomizes an exceptional life. NIGEL SIMEONE is awriter and teacher. He has published extensively on Messiaen and Janácek and recently edited The Leonard Bernstein Letters. JOHN TYRRELL is Honorary Professor of Music at Cardiff University. He has published bookson Janácek and Czech opera and, with Sir Charles Mackerras, edited two Janácek operas. CONTRIBUTORS: Janet Baker, Alfred Brendel, Ales Brezina, Alex Briger, Rosenna East, Anne Evans, Nicholas Hytner, Simon Keenlyside, David Lloyd-Jones, David Mackie, Chi-chi Nwanoku, Antonio Pappano, Nigel Simeone, John Stein, Heinz Stolba, Patrick Summers, John Tyrrell, Malcolm Walker, David Whelton, Jirí Zahrádka.

The Royal Opera House give a live performance of Hector Berlioz's opera based on the poem, 'Aeneid', by Virgil. The story chronicles the collapse of Troy and the love affair between Enée (Bryan Hymel), a Trojan who eventually becomes a Roman ancestor, and Didon, Queen of Carthage (Eva-Maria Westbroek). The prophetess, Casssandre, is portrayed by Anna Caterina Antonacci and her betrothed prince, Chorèbe, by Fabio Maria Capitanucci. Antonio Pappano conducts the Royal Opera House Orchestra and Chorus.

Antonio Pappano leads The Royal Opera Chorus and The Orchestra of the Royal Opera House in this standout production of Puccini's opera recorded in 2001. Angela Gheorghiu, Roberto Alagna and Ruggero Raimondi head an all-star cast.

Stage director Stephen Langridge brings Harrison Birtwhistle's Greek myth-based opera to Covent Garden's Royal Opera House. Recorded live in spring 2008, the production stars John Tomlinson in the title role. Antonio Pappano conducts the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House and the Royal Opera Chorus.

Collection of three Puccini works performed by the Royal Opera. Andris Nelsons conducts a 2001 production of 'La Bohéme' starring Teodor Ilincai and Hibla Gerzmava. Antonio Pappano leads the Royal Opera Orchestra and Chorus in 'Tosca' (2013) which features Angela Gheorghiu, Jonas Kaufmann and Bryn Terfel. Lise Lindstrom performs the role of the eponymous princess in 'Turandot' (2013), conducted by Henrik Nánási. The cast also includes Marco Berti and Eri Nakamura.

Placido Domingo is joined by Mariana Polavskaya, Joseph Calleja, Ferruccio Furlanetto, Jonathan Summers and Lukas Jakobski for this Royal Opera House production of Verdi's opera. Antonio Pappano conducts the Royal Opera House Orchestra and Chorus; Elijah Moskinsky directs.

David McVicar's celebrated 2004 Royal Opera House production of Gounod's Faust. Set in a haunting gothic setting, the production features a cast made up of some of opera's biggest stars including Roberto Alagna, Angela Gheorghiu, Bryn Terfel, Simon Keenlyside and Sophie Koch.

Mark-Anthony Turnage's operatic take on the lurid life of former Playboy model and octogenarian billionaire's wife, Anna Nicole Smith. Eva-Maria Westbroeck takes the lead role in this production filmed at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden in February 2011, with Antonio Pappano conducting.

Antonio Pappano is the conductor for Richard Eyre's production of Verdi's opera staged at the Royal Opera House in 2009. American soprano Renee Fleming heads an all-star cast including Johan Botha, Joseph Calleja, Thomas Hampson and Eddie Wade.

Antonio Pappano is the conductor for Richard Eyre's production of Verdi's opera staged at the Royal Opera House in 2009. American soprano Renee Fleming heads an all-star cast including Johan Botha, Joseph Calleja, Thomas Hampson and Eddie Wade.

Antonio Pappano conducts the Royal Opera House Orchestra in this production of Umberto Giordano's opera set during the French Revolution. Jonas Kaufmann portrays the eponymous poet with the rest of the cast including Eva-Maria Westbroek, Zeljko Lucic, Denyce Graves and Elena Zilio.

Collection of three of Mozart's operas performed at the Royal Opera House. Charles Mackerras conducts a 2008 production of 'Don Giovanni' starring Simon Keenlyside as the eponymous character. Keenlyside also features in 'Die Zauberflöte' (2003), alongside Dorothea Röschmann and Will Hartmann with Colin Davis conducting. Finally, the cast of 'Le Nozze di Figaro' (2006) includes Erwin Schrott, Miah Persson and Gerald Finley with Antonio Pappano as conducter. The Royal Opera House Orchestra and Chorus perform each of Mozart's scores.

Antonio Papano conducts the Orchestra and Chorus of the Royal Opera House in this production of Verdi's opera, originally broadcast live from Covent Garden to cinemas around the globe in June, 2011. Phyllida Lloyd's production stars Simon Keenlyside and Liudmyla Monastryrska as the Scottish lord and his treacherous wife, with American basso cantante Raymond Aceto as the murdered Banquo.

Mark-Anthony Turnage's operatic take on the lurid life of former Playboy model and octogenarian billionaire's wife, Anna Nicole Smith. Eva-Maria Westbroeck takes the lead role in this production filmed at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden in February 2011, with Antonio Pappano conducting.

Stage director Stephen Langridge brings Harrison Birtwhistle's Greek myth-based opera to Covent Garden's Royal Opera House. Recorded live in spring 2008, the production stars John Tomlinson in the title role. Antonio Pappano conducts the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House and the Royal Opera Chorus.