(Amadeus). The subjects of this third volume range from survivors of the so-called Golden Age of the 1890s, such as the formidable Lotte Lehman, to those whom the 20th century has bequeathed to the 21st, such as Cecilia Bartoli and Ian Bostridge. This is a personal selection that includes many of the great names, including Melchior, heldentenor of the century, and Gigli, the most popular Italian singer of his generation. The entire series (for this is the final volume) ends with a chapter on Caruso, still widely regarded as the greatest of all.Steane's critical essays seek out the special qualities of each singer and relate them to wider concerns in music and in life. His eloquent descriptions of the nuances of the vocal art are wonderful examples of the best kind of music appreciation. HARDCOVER.

(Amadeus). This collection of brief essays covers such performers as Bjorling, Callas, Domingo, Pavarotti, Tibbett, Terfel, and te Kanawa.

This is a thorough critical study of Marlowe's entire output - plays, translations and poems - prefaced by a biographical chapter. It is an attempt to provide the 'life and works' study for the general reader. Mr Steane takes the poetry as the centre of his interest; offering a literary judgement on Marlowe's art rather than further discussion of sources and background. He provides a balanced account of a great poetic dramatist, a writer of exceptional power whose poetry also reveals profound human flaws.