Opera is story-telling. Milton Cross spent years introducing the performances as broadcast on radio, and knows the many stories within the stories. While the performance pulls our emotions, the study of it pushes the joy.
Ordinarily I enjoy being contemptuous of people who press inanities upon us and wile our time away in trivia. Opera "buffs" are often standouts in that invidious tribe. However, gloriously, Maestro Cross is not a member! You want him to tell us more, not less! {Rising as a body shouting BRAVO-OO!}
This is the first of Cross' two volumes. He took pains not to "select" his own favorites, but reviews the operas which were most often produced. The second edition was made in 1971 after the art form went through some of its most transformative changes. ( )

This old text summarizes in English various opera by act and scene. When researching Operas this text provides all general historical background information including time period, location of origin, and original language. ( )

I have wandered through this book from time to time, mainly when I need to know the backround of a specific opera! It is a good book to have on hand if you are just beginning to frequent operas. A quick read (each story is far under a hundred pages) and you can hold your own with the opera-snobs.