Puccini's La boheme is one of the most beloved and enduring operas of all time. In this guide, William Ashbrook evaluates the opera's initial reception, the reasons for its wide appeal and Verdi's influence on the composition. Nicholas John discusses the tortuous evolution of the libretto over the course of three and a half years and gives a synopsis, outlining the main themes of La boheme. Edward Greenfield presents an essay on the musical structure and consistency of the opera, whose 'very accessibility tends to obscure the musical genius behind the score'. Finally, Joanna Richardson surveys the Bohemians in Paris portrayed by Henry Murger, whose stories formed the basis for Puccini's work. This edition has over twenty photographs, a detailed thematic analysis and the original libretto with a facing literal translation by William Weaver. It also has an up-to-date bibliography, discography, DVD and website details. The guide is essential reading for anyone interested in the background to this opera, its themes and composition.

"Tosca," one of Puccini's greatest and most popular operas, is a supreme example of music's power to enthrall the audience. In his introductory essay to this guide, Bernard Williams discusses the enduring quality of its appeal. Bernard Keeffe, in his article, analyzes different aspects of the score, noting Puccini's special genius for orchestration and the subtle effects that give the opera its irresistible vitality, while Stuart Woolfe's survey of the historical background reveals its political and nationalistic undertones. Enriched by 25 iconic archive photographs, a detailed thematic analysis, the original libretto with the facing literal translation, and a section containing up-to-date discographical and bibliographical information, this guide will prove an invaluable companion for opera-goers and anyone wanting to delve deeper into the genesis, history, and significance of Puccini's work.

Ricordi is proud to present the first titles in their new series of orchestral scores featuring engaging images (from Casa Ricordi's historical archives) and synopses in Italian, English, French and German. In addition, these scores feature heavier cover and paper stock plus stronger binding.

This incredible famous tenor aria has been adapted by many wind soloists. This interchangeable woodwind ensemble allows for a variety of players to set the solo line with a full, lush accompaniment supporting.
Part 1 - Flute, Oboe, Clarinet.
Part 2 - Flute, Oboe, Clarinet.
Part 3 - Flute, Oboe, Clarinet.
Part 4 - Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, F Horn.
Part 5 - Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone.
Part 6 - Bass Clarinet, Bassoon, Baritone Saxophone

One of the most performed and recorded operas of all time, this intense drama revolves around lust, revenge, and betrayal. It is noted for its sumptuous musical scoring and two of opera's most famous arias, "Vissi d'arte" and "E lucevan le stelle." Reprinted from the authoritative full-score edition published shortly after the opera's 1900 premiere. Lay-flat binding.

Ricordi is proud to present the first titles in their new series of orchestral scores featuring engaging images (from Casa Ricordi's historical archives) and synopses in Italian, English, French and German. In addition, these scores feature heavier cover and paper stock plus stronger binding.

Safe within their cocoons, butterflies only become vulnerable when they emerge to enchant the world with their beauty. "Madama Butterfly" has been breaking hearts for over a century with its tragic tale of an innocent Japanese girl who abandons her faith and her family to marry an American naval lieutenant. Giacomo Puccini created a dozen operas, many of them rooted in his fascination with exotic lands and foreign cultures. Inspired by a London performance of one-act play by American playwright David Belasco, the composer developed an emotionally charged musical score to accompany this tale of devotion, tradition, and sacrifice.
The opera's most famous aria, "Un bel di vedremo" ("One beautiful day, we will see"), in which the heroine professes her faith in her lover, ranks among the most popular works in the soprano repertoire. "Dovunque al mondo" ("Throughout the world") characterizes Butterfly's American officer with a musical theme based on "The Star Spangled Banner." Other highlights include the endings of each of the three acts: the extended love duet "Vogliatemi bene" ("Love me, please."); the wordless beauty of "Coro a bocca chiusa," ("Humming Chorus"); and the climactic aria "Con onor muore" ("To die with honor"). This authoritative 1906 edition of one the world's most beloved operas features the original Italian lyrics.

Authoritative Italian edition of one of the world's most beloved operas. Sturdy, attractive volume reprints every note of Puccini's masterpiece, based on Murger's novel, Scenes de la vie de Boheme. English translations of list of characters and instruments and the table of contents.

This is a reproduction of a book published before 1923. This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book. ++++ The below data was compiled from various identification fields in the bibliographic record of this title. This data is provided as an additional tool in helping to ensure edition identification: ++++ Gianni Schicchi Giacomo Puccini G. Ricordi, 1918 Music; Genres & Styles; Opera; Music / Genres & Styles / Opera; Operas

The Black Dog Opera Library is the best, easiest and most informative and budget-friendly way to enjoy four of the greatest operas of all time.

Finally available again, and packaged with gorgeous new covers, each book in the library includes the complete opera on 2 CDs, featuring world-class performances and orchestras; the complete libretto, plus its English translation; an exciting history of the opera; a biography of the composer; a synopsis of the story, broken down by act and scene; and dozens of photographs and drawings depicting performances, singers, sets, costumes, and more.

La Boheme features Nicolai Gedda and Mirella Freni, with Thomas Schippers conducting the Orchestro e Coro del Teatro dell'Opera di Roma.

Also available:

Carmen features Grace Bumbry, Jon Vickers, Mirella Freni, and Kostas Paskalis, with Rafael Fru beck de Burgos conducting the Orchestra of the Theatre National de l'Opera. La Traviata features Beverly Sills, Nicolai Gedda, and Rolando Panerai, with Aldo Ceccato conducting the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra; The Marriage of Figaro features Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Heather Harper, Judith Blegen, Geraint Evans, Teresa Berganza, and Birgit Finnila, with Daniel Barenboim conducting the English Chamber Orchestra.

Listen. Enjoy. Learn."

These Opera Guides are ideal com-panions to the opera. They provide stimulating introductory articles together with the complete text of each opera in English and the original. Italian opera expert William Ashbrook asks why this love story attracted new audiences to the opera house when it was first performed, and what gives this 'tragedy of fragile sentiment' such an enduring appeal. Neither subject nor score is conventional, yet the sound picture is bound together with a quickness and lightness of touch that the young composer learnt from the eighty-year-old Verdi, whose Falstaff was premiered while La boheme was being conceived. Joanna Richardson surveys the actual Bohemians who inspired, or at least unwittingly supplied the raw material for, Murger's book on which the story is based. Edward Greenfield and Nicholas John examine the subtleties of this best-loved of operas and the merits of a libretto which took Italy's best librettists over three years to finish.

These Opera Guides are ideal companions to the opera. They provide stimulating introductory articles together with the complete text of each opera in English and the original. 'Puccini's motto could be: "The maximum effect with the simplest means",' suggests Bernard Keeffe. He analyses different aspects of the score, noting particularly Puccini's genius for orchestration, and the infinitely subtle effects that give the melodrama irresistible vitality. Stuart Woolfe's scholarly assessment of the significance of the historical themes for Puccini explains many of the motives of the protagonists. Tosca is a supreme example of music's power to enthral an audience and Bernard Williams discusses the particular quality of its appeal.

Madama Butterfly is one of the most popular operas of all time, despite its disastrous premiere, after which it was immediately withdrawn and revised. This guide explores how and why the libretto was softened to suit the tastes of European opera-goers, and the different variants are set out, side by side. Professor Jean-Pierre Lehmann introduces the story and shows how the theme of a Japanese girl deserted by a heartless foreigner became a classic. Since John Luther Long's novella - on which the opera was based - is included as well, it is possible to judge how successful Puccini was in catching its essence in his hauntingly beautiful score. Contents: Images of the Orient, John-Pierre Lehmann; Tribulations of a Score, Julian Smith; Madame Butterfly, John Luther Long; Madama Butterfly: Libretto by Giuseppe Giacosa and Luigi lllica after the book by John Luther Long and the play by David Belasco; Madam Butterfly: English version based on that of R.H. Elkin

Double bill of operas from the 1980s starring tenor Luciano Pavarotti. In 'Aida' Pavarotti performs the role of Radamès alongside Maria Chiara and Ghena Dimitrova. Lorin Maazel conducts the Teatro alla Scala Orchestra and Chorus. In 'La Bohème' Pavarotti stars as Rodolfo with Tiziano Severini leading the San Francisco Opera Orchestra and Chorus. The rest of the cast includes Mirella Freni, Sandra Pacetti and Gino Quilico.

Live performance by Azerbaijan soprano Dinara Alieva in Moscow. She performs classical works by, among others, Charpentier, Massenet and Puccini, as well as more modern pieces such as 'Somewhere Over the Rainbow' and ' I Could Have Danced All Night'. Constantine Orbelian conducts the Russian National Orchestra and the Grand Choir 'Masters of Choral Singing'.

Live performance by Azerbaijan soprano Dinara Alieva in Moscow. She performs classical works by, among others, Charpentier, Massenet and Puccini, as well as more modern pieces such as 'Somewhere Over the Rainbow' and ' I Could Have Danced All Night'. Constantine Orbelian conducts the Russian National Orchestra and the Grand Choir 'Masters of Choral Singing'.