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BARBER FURTHER READING/LISTENING
The following resources are available at the library and on the Internet.
Books
Opera Reference Books
Opera 101: A Complete Guide to Learning and Loving Opera by Fred Plotkin
Published by Hyperion Books, 1994
Getting Opera: A Guide for the Cultured but Confused by Matt Dobkin
Published by Pocket Books, 2000
100 Hundred Great Operas and Their Stories by Henry W. Simon
Published by Random House, 1989
Opera by Alessandra Taverna and Thomas Trojer
Published by Barron’s Educational Series, 1999
Note: Great book for older children to learn about major episodes in music history. It tells stories of important composers and performers and explains details of instrument construction. For ages 11 and older.
The Splendid Art of Opera by Ethan Mordden
Published by Methuen, 1980
The Oxford Illustrated History of Opera edited by Roger Parker
Published by Oxford University Press, 1994
The NPR Curious Listener’s Guide to Opera by William Berger
Published by Berkeley Publishing Group, 2002
Bravo! A Guide to Opera for the Perplexed by Barrymore Laurence Scherer
Published by Dutton, 1996
The Definitive Kobbé’s Opera Book by The Earl of Harewood
Published by G.P. Putnam’s Sons New York, 1987
The Viking Opera Guide, edited by Amanda Holden.
London: Viking, The Penguin Book, 1993
Opera for Grades 3-7
Opera Cat by Tess Weaver, illustrated by Andrea Wesson
Madame SoSo is an opera star who practices every afternoon with the maestro. What the two don't realize is that behind the curtain, Madame's cat is singing along sotto voce. (School Library Journal) Clarion Books, 2002.
The Magic Flute by Anne Gatti, illustrated by Peter Malone
Enter a magical world of monster serpents, mysterious ladies, and flying machines where giant flowers and butterflies abound. Readers will thrill as Prince Tamino strives to save Princess Pamina from the wicked Queen of the Night. Accompanied by a CD. Chronicle Books, 1997.
The Barefoot Book of Stories from the Opera by Shahrukh Husain, illustrated by James Mayhew
A beautifully illustrated retelling of seven popular operas. Barefoot Books, 1999.
Aïda, A Picture Book for All Ages by Leontyne Price
Opera diva Leontyne Price tells the compelling, romantic story of Aida, the captive Ethiopian princess who falls in love with her country’s greatest enemy. Harcourt, Brace and Vox, 1990.
Pet of the Met by Lydia and Don Freeman
Maestro Petrini is the only mouse at the Metropolitan Opera House, the perfect place for a music loving mouse and his family. The only danger is Mefisto, the opera house cat, who hates music (and mice!) until one day when he listens to The Magic Flute and becomes enchanted. Viking Press, 1989.
The Catropolitan Opera by Susan Herbert
After amusing the world with her feline versions of famous paintings and plays of Shakespeare, Susan Herbert now turns her witty paintbrush to the great operas. With a captivating variety of operatic scenes and set pieces, Herbert’s latest will delight all who enjoyed the artist’s previous books. Bulfinch Press Book, 1997
Opera for Young Adults
The Random House Book of Opera Stories, illustrated by Adele Geras and Ian Beck
Originally published in Great Britain as The Orchard Book of Opera Stories, this large-format book presents the stories of popular eight operas. Each selection begins with an introduction to the composer and the opera, followed by a simplified retelling, complete with pictures and conversation. Each story is illustrated. Random House Library, 1998.
Sing Me A Story: The Metropolitan Opera’s Book of Opera Stories for Children by Jane Rosenberg, with introduction by Luciano Pavarotti
In this vibrantly illustrated collection, 15 thrilling opera stories are brought to children in a most enjoyable way. These all-time favorites will stimulate a child’s interest in the magic of opera. Thames and Hudson, 1989.
The Young Person’s Guide to the Opera: Book and CD Set by Anita Ganeri and Nicola Barber
This book features bright color photos and a dynamic layout that is ideal for readers who are after a more informal, friendly approach to the subject. Ganeri and Barber cover many aspects of opera, from the origins of the form to the stories behind the great works to the most famous opera singers and the venues in which they perform. (School Library Journal) Harcourt, 2001.
Video and DVD
Who’s Afraid of Opera? Directed by Ted Kotcheff. Conducted by Sir Richard Bonynge.
Joan Sutherland and three puppets introduce the uninitiated to the magnificent world of opera.
Willie the Operatic Whale
Walt Disney Mini-Classics, distributed by Buena Vista Home Video The charming story of a melodious mammal who is destined to be the biggest thing yet to hit the Met.
Audio recordings
The Barber of Seville by Gioachino Rossini
Conducted by Gabriele Bellini, featuring Della Jones, and Bruce Ford. This is a great recording from 1994, widely available on CD. Chandos Records. Sung in English.
World’s Very Best Opera for Kids…in English!
Contains familiar selections from well-known operas such as Carmen by Bizet, The Barber of Seville by Rossini, The Magic Flute by Mozart, and more. Children’s Group, 2003.
Websites - General
Arts in Education
www.nycopera.com/learning/
The education website of the New York City Opera. Offers information for everyone, from the adult first-timer to elementary school lesson plans.
www.metguild.org/education/
The education website of the Metropolitan Opera. Well-organized and well-written, this website is worth checking out.
Music and Opera
www.blo.org
Boston Lyric Opera’s official website. Provides complete information about BLO’s season operas, including mainstage productions, synopses, events, and Opera New England school and family performances.
www.operaworld.com
A public access opera education program and information resource center whose mission is to encourage greater enjoyment of opera by audiences at all levels of experience. This site is a good resource for information about opera broadcasts and video and DVD recordings of operas. There are also links to dozens of opera-related websites.
www.pbs.org/wnet/gperf/aidas/
Information on many great African-American opera singers
www.quia.com/shared/music/
Music games and quizzes for kids and adults www.theoperacritic.com Great reviews, articles, and photos from opera around the world
www.operaamerica.org
A service organization for North American opera companies, OPERA America offers a comprehensive website, including an excellent section on opera education.
www.aria-database.com
Interesting and useful information about over a thousand opera arias, including decent translations and synopses
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