The Complete Opera Book / The Stories of the Operas, together with 400 of the Leading Airs and Motives in Musical Notation

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

40540

Title

The Complete Opera Book / The Stories of the Operas, together with 400 of the Leading Airs and Motives in Musical Notation

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

A definitive 1919 reference work by Gustav Kobbé, this volume chronicles the evolution of opera from its Italian, French, and German schools to modern compositions. Featuring 400 leading airs in musical notation and over 100 portraits, it serves as an essential guide to the genre's history, composers, and legendary performers.

Summary up to 500 words

Gustav Kobbé's *The Complete Opera Book* stands as a monumental survey of the operatic stage, meticulously organized into distinct sections covering the Italian, French, German, and American schools of opera. Published originally in 1919, this comprehensive volume provides detailed analyses of major works by legendary composers such as Gluck, Mozart, Beethoven, Wagner, Verdi, and Puccini. The text explores the evolution of vocal melody, orchestration, and dramatic structure across centuries, offering readers insight into the librettos and musical plans that define these dramatic masterpieces. Each opera entry includes concise plot summaries, character lists, and musical excerpts, preserving the legacy of the art form. The book features extensive biographical sketches of composers and singers, highlighting the illustrious careers of prima donnas like Lilli Lehmann and Emma Eames, as well as tenors such as Enrico Caruso. Kobbé's work functions as both a historical record and a practical tool for musicians and enthusiasts, bridging the gap between academic analysis and practical performance. The volume delves deeply into the nuances of each national school. In the Italian tradition, Kobbé discusses the shift from temperament-driven works to carefully constructed scores, noting how composers like Verdi and Puccini elevated the genre. The French section emphasizes the richer instrumental support and calculated dramatic structure found in works by Gounod, Bizet, and Massenet. The German school receives particular attention, with an extensive focus on Richard Wagner's music dramas, analyzing the mythological and philosophical underpinnings of his cycle. Furthermore, the book addresses American opera, tracing its development from early experimental works to the contributions of composers like Frederick Shepherd Converse and Charles Wakefield Cadman. Illustrated with one hundred portraits in costume and scenes from opera, the book captures the visual splendor of the stage, featuring images of performers in iconic roles. Despite the author's untimely death in 1918, the work was completed by William J. Henderson, ensuring that Kobbé's musical knowledge and convictions were preserved as a lasting monument to the history of opera. With its comprehensive index and rich content, *The Complete Opera Book* remains an essential reference for understanding the enduring impact of opera's most significant figures on the arts.

LLM editorial rating

4.5/5

Download URL

https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/40540.epub.noimages

Local file path

data/epubs/pg40540.epub

Download EPUB

Downloaded at

2026-07-08 11:52 UTC

Categories

• Classics
• Drama