Allison Brewster Franzetti

While I agree with the effusive reviews already here, it must be noted that many of these librettos are (understandably) translations which could be found cheaply or out of copyright. Of course they have come from reputable sources, including record companies like EMI and production companies such as the Metropolitan. Nevertheless, individual lines or translations may be too overly poetic or fruity for some tastes, others may be too prosaic in the other direction.

There is no solution to this, and I offer it only as a caveat. Overall this book is highly worthwhile. There is nothing available that is remotely like it, offering the complete original text and English translation for so many worthwhile operas. In these days when the CD booklet has given way to the digital streaming service which provides no such text, there is a real dearth of information that I fear will limit accessibility to newer generations and audiences. This book is part of the solution.… (meer)