Title | : | Aida: Opera Explained |
Author | : | |
Rating | : | |
ISBN | : | - |
Language | : | English |
Format Type | : | Audible Audio |
Number of Pages | : | - |
Publication | : | First published July 1, 2001 |
But Thomson Smillie, in his fascinating introduction to the work, presented by actor David Timson, says it is, more accurately, "a chamber opera with a grand march through the middle of it". The historic background - how and why it came to be composed - is clearly explained. This is followed by the plot, the characters, and the principal arias and musical moments - a perfect way of getting to know the work.
Aida: Opera Explained Reviews
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Не пойму, в чем проблема линейно пересказать либретто и объяснить, когда опера писалась, зачем и при каких обстоятельствах, как была приняла и как сложилась ее судьба. Но нет, разброд, шатания, а вот вам кусок из Травиаты (што?)
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Delightful! The benefits of an audiobook introduction rather than just print are worth emphasis, even if they may seem obvious to some; hearing the opera and having it properly introduced is a real treat.
I'd prefer to think of these introductions as something like the author intimately illustrating some nice strokes of musical brushstrokes and simply effusive excitement of the work as a whole. While this is great, it is not as analytical as I might have hoped. It's more a crash-course in operatic appreciation than opera 101. This is not a bad thing, though: I plan on using these as a quick primer for watching the work.
As a supplement, these are pretty great. There's not really anything close to 'academic' in here, but the sheer giddiness of the author shines through, is infectious, and contextualizes the political, musical, and aesthetic value for a general audience with sprezzatura and lighthearted joy. -
Author is so witty and so perceptive that he brings the opera alive. Wonderful to listen before experiencing the opera again or perhaps the first time. Recording of the music was awful in the format I like listened, streamed, but that is a quibble. You will listen or see the opera soon.