Grand Opera

October 1, 2014

Between its first season in 1883 and the spring season of 2013, the Metropolitan Opera presented 290 different operas in some 28,000 performances. With nearly as many characters and plot twists as the productions seen on its stage, this title is full of the intrigues, tyrants, divas, and tenors that make up the history of the Met. Each chapter shines a spotlight on a particular area of the repertoire, such as French opera, the works of Puccini, American opera, etc. The Affrons (Best Years; Sets in Motion) include 20 tables of data listing the details of every Met production up to spring 2013, such as the opera's title, composer, director, and designer; dates of Met premieres and the most recent Met production; and the total number of productions and performances there. The final chapter considers the impact of new media, in particular the Met's "Live in HD" simulcasts. VERDICT Drawn from the institution's archives and a wealth of other sources, this comprehensive work is a welcome addition to the annals of opera history. Opera fans will feast on the facts and famous figures that fill these pages.--Carolyn M. Mulac, Chicago

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