The Opera A Sketch of the Development of Opera. With full Descriptions of all Works in the Modern Repertory.

The Opera: A Sketch of the Development of Opera. With full Descriptions of all Works in the Modern Repertory by R. A. is a lively, authoritative guide to three centuries of operatic artistry, from Monteverdi's first experiments to the innovations of Debussy and Puccini. R. A. traces the history of opera as both dramatic theatre and musical form, mapping major movements—early baroque beginnings, Gluck’s reforms, opera buffa and opéra comique, Mozart’s genius, the Romantic surge, and the national schools of France, Italy, Germany, and England. Concise, informed chapters introduce key composers and works (Peri, Monteverdi, Handel, Rossini, Verdi, Wagner, Strauss and more) while offering clear descriptions of the modern repertory and the stylistic developments that shaped it. The tone balances scholarly rigor with accessible narrative, making complex musical evolution easy to follow. Ideal for music lovers, students, performers, and anyone curious about the history of opera, this audiobook serves as both a listening companion and a compact music-history course. Listen to deepen your appreciation of the opera repertoire and to follow how melody, drama, and cultural change fused into one of Western music’s most compelling genres.