Puccini Without Excuses

September 5, 2005
Puccini, the celebrated composer of La Bohème
, Tosca
and Madama Butterfly
(together, the three make up perhaps a quarter of all U.S. opera performances) is often regarded as a "guilty pleasure," too melodic, too "easy." Not so fast, says Berger, who proceeds to demonstrate exactly why attention must be paid. This is the third in the amusing, educational opera series by the popular NPR commentator and radio host, following Wagner Without Fear
and Verdi with a Vengeance
. The informal, sometimes slangy tone assumes readers' ignorance (but willingness to learn) and coaches them in everything they need to know. The formula follows that of the earlier books: first, a brief biography of the artist; then a breakdown of each opera (eight here) with comments, introducing the characters and explaining what kind of singer each part calls for; then an act-by-act summary with instructions on what to watch and listen for. Next, Berger veers off into three idiosyncratic essays, including one on Puccini's influence on modern show biz (on Bohème
knockoffs: Moulin Rouge
was good; Rent
, not so much). Then it's back to instruction: singers to recognize, recordings to buy or rent, books to read and a glossary of musical terms, many Italian. Agent, Al Zuckerman.

October 15, 2005
Following up on his well-received treatments of opera composers Giuseppe Verdi ("Verdi with a Vengeance") and Richard Wagner ("Wagner Without Fear"), radio commentator Berger now addresses operas by perennial favorite Giacomo Puccini in this enjoyable, provocative tome. He skillfully sets Puccini within his times before discussing the circumstances of each opera's premiere and famous interpreters of the roles, providing character lists and synopses and fleshing all this out with musical commentary. Chapters on opera production and the genre's relation to film are useful, but a chapter contrasting the character of Tosca with Gregorian sensibilities and several other seemingly far-fetched conclusions strains credulity. Berger's lucid yet hardly dispassionate views are designed to elicit strong reactions, so this is not the first place one should go for an unbiased introduction to the composer's oeuvre. But the author's grounding information is helpful for the novice, and he refers to some of the current authoritative sources, e.g., Julian Budden's "Puccini: His Life and Works" and Mary-Jane Phillips-Matz's "Puccini: A Biography". Recommended for music collections and especially for public libraries serving opera fans." -Barry Zaslow, Miami Univ. Libs., Oxford, OH"

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