First published 1995
Alexander Waugh takes readers through the landscape of opera recordings available on compact disc. He examines performances across the major operatic repertoire, comparing interpretations and production quality. Waugh discusses legendary singers, conductors, and opera houses, analyzing how their artistry translates to digital format. The book serves as both historical survey and practical buying guide for opera enthusiasts. Waugh addresses technical aspects of recording quality alongside artistic merit, helping readers navigate the vast catalog of available recordings. His approach balances scholarly knowledge with accessible commentary, making opera's recorded legacy approachable for newcomers while offering insights for seasoned collectors. The work captures the transition period when compact discs were reshaping how audiences experienced opera, documenting both classic performances preserved from earlier eras and new digital recordings that emerged in the format's early years.
Genres: 20th-century, non-fiction, music, 21st-century, art-history, classical-music
Vibes: intimate, scholarly, thought-provoking
Tropes: buying-guide, scholarly-work
Period: 20th-Century, 21st-Century
216 pages · Hardcover · Mitchell Beazley