This listing is for Verdi With a Vengeance: An Energetic Guide to the Life and Complete Works of the King of Opera Paperback by William Berger.  

Publisher: Vintage; First Edition (October 2000)
Language: English
Paperback: 502 pages
ISBN-10: 037570518X
ISBN-13: 978-0375705182

Verdi With a Vengeance: An Energetic Guide to the Life and Complete Works of the King of Opera Paperback by William Berger.

Everything you could possibly know about Verdi and his operas, from the brilliant and humorous author of Wagner Without Fear. If you want to know why La traviata was actually a flop at its premiere in 1853, it's in here.  If you want to know why claiming to have heard Bjorling's Chicago performance of Il trovatore is the classic opera fan faux pas, it's in here.  Even if you just want to know how to pronounce Aida, or what the plot of Rigoletto is all about, this is the place to look.  From the composer's intense hatred of priests to synopses of the operas and a detailed discography of the best recordings to buy, it can all be found in Verdi with a Vengeance.  William Berger has given another improbable performance, serving up a book as thorough as it is funny and as original as it is astute, an utterly indispensable guide for novice and expert alike.

I have lived with this book for a little over a year; it rests on a table next to my chair so that I can access it frequently, as I do. I have referred to it in several reviews of Verdi on DVD and thought that in justice to this fine work, I should comment briefly on why it is so important to my enjoyment of Verdi's operas. First, there is an adequate biography. I have and consult the definitive biography by Ms. Phillips-Matz, but for the quick reference, Mr. Berger works very well: there is enough detail to answer most any question I have had. Second, all of the operas are outlined as to plot and discussed. No, this is not Budden's three volume tome of the 1970's (if memory serves), but again, unless one can sight read an orchestral score, Budden takes some effort to get through. Berger is much more easy on the attention span, but still with plenty of detail. When I came to opera, there were only four or five of Verdi's operas that had been recorded, and those were cut substantially ( all those vulgar cabalettas!) It is gratifying to see all the early Verdi" treated with affectionate respect. Third, there is a short, succinct guide to audio recordings with some absolutely delicious editorial remarks ( he mentions Canadian tenor Richard Margison sounding like he was chanelling Ethel Merman and notes that a well known soprano's high notes could kill goldfish in a bowl!) Sad to say, the book was written before the surge of DVDs. Fourth is the quality of writing: Berger has a crisp, grammatic style that maintains interest. Part of this, I am sure, reflects his obvious love of Verdi's output. So in sum, gentle reader, I recomend this book without reservation. It's a winner!!

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