Puccini Without Excuses by William Berger

Puccini Without Excuses by William Berger

Puccini is the most beloved composer of opera in the world: one quarter of all opera performances in the U.S. are of his operas, his music pervades movie soundtracks, and his plots have infiltrated our popular culture. But, although Puccini's art still captivates audiences and the popularity of such works as Tosca, La Boh?me, and Madama Butterfly has never waned, he has long been a victim of critical snobbery and cultural marginalization.

In this witty and informative guide for beginners and fans alike, William Berger sets the record straight, reclaiming Puccini as a serious artist. Combining his trademark irreverent humor with passionate enthusiasm, Berger strikes just the right balance of introductory information and thought-provoking analysis. He includes a biography, discussions of each opera, a glossary, fun facts and anecdotes, and above all keen insight into Puccini's enduring power. For anyone who loves Puccini and for anyone who just wonders what all the fuss is about, Puccini Without Excuses is funny, challenging, and always a pleasure to read.

INCLUDES:

_ Why Puccini's art and its message of hope is crucial to our world today

_ How Anglo audiences often miss the mythic significance of his operas

_ The use of his music as shorthand in films, from A Room with a View to Fatal Attraction

_ A scene-by scene analysis of each opera

_ A guide to the wealth of available recordings, books, and videos

William Berger was born in California and attended the University of California, Santa Cruz, where he studied Romance languages and music. He spent five years with the San Francisco Opera Company, where he was in charge of acquiring recorded music for the company's collection and translating for visiting artists. He has taught language at New York City's Baruch College. He worked on James Skofield's text for The Dracula Diaries, an opera with Robert Moran's music, and he recently finished the libretto for Patrick Barnes' The Wolf of Gubbio. Mr. Berger is currently based in New York, where he is working on Karajan's Wake, a performance piece.