Operas Every Child Should Know / Descriptions of the Text and Music of Some of the Most Famous Masterpieces

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

28711

Title

Operas Every Child Should Know / Descriptions of the Text and Music of Some of the Most Famous Masterpieces

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

This collection offers concise descriptions of the text and music of famous operas, ranging from Balfe's *The Bohemian Girl* to Wagner's *Nibelung Ring*. Written for children, it balances musical analysis with storytelling, covering works by Bizet, Verdi, Mozart, and others to introduce young readers to opera's history and emotional power.

Summary up to 500 words

Compiled by Dolores Bacon, *Operas Every Child Should Know* serves as an educational guide introducing young readers to the world of opera through detailed accounts of masterpieces such as *Carmen*, *Aida*, *The Magic Flute*, and Wagner's *Nibelung Ring*. The text explains the origins of plots, characterizes composers ranging from Michael Balfe to Richard Wagner, and recounts dramatic narratives including Faust's pact with the Devil and Lohengrin's quest to protect Elsa. The book highlights how music conveys emotion beyond words, noting that while some operas are simple, others offer profound musical and story wonders. It serves as an educational guide, helping readers appreciate scenic effects and musical motifs while understanding the stories that drive stage movements. The author acknowledges that opera is an emotional art form where music often supersedes the play, yet emphasizes the necessity of knowing the plot to fully enjoy the performance. The book ranges from the bathos and vulgarity of the music hall to the glories of grand opera, arguing that the history of opera should be known and composers classified just as authors and painters are. It posits that while we go to opera to hear music and see beautiful scenic effects, one must know enough of the story to appreciate the cause of movement upon the stage. Without some acquaintance with the plot beforehand, one gains but an imperfect knowledge of an opera story from hearing it once. The text demonstrates that music is first of all something to be felt, and it is one of the arts which does not always explain itself, defining elemental passions and emotions rather than intellectual concepts. Through chapters dedicated to specific works like *The Bohemian Girl*, *Fidelio*, *Carmen*, and *Rigoletto*, the book provides complete ideas of several operas rather than superficial sketches of many, ensuring readers understand the full dramatic context of these famous masterpieces.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Music History
• Operas