Oper für Dummies

by David Pogue, Scott Speck

"Ein Vogelfanger bin ich ja." Wer kennt sie nicht, die ?Zauberflote?. David Pogue und Scott Speck begeben sich auf Menschenfang, nein, sie wollen niemandem Unrecht tun, sie wollen nur jeden einzelnen fur die Oper begeistern. Sie entfuhren die Leser in die Welt der Stimmen, volltonenden Orchester, fesselnden Dramen, tollen Tanze, aufwandigen Buhnenbilder und uppige Kostume! Von finsteren Koniginnen, dem Pakt mit dem Teufel, verarmten Kunstlern bis zur wahren Liebe und der trickreichen Ehefrau, die ihren Gatten aus dem Kerker rettet - in der Oper ist alles zu finden. "Oper fur Dummies" nimmt den Lesern die Furcht vor der fremden, manchmal von auen ein wenig snobistisch erscheinenden Welt der Oper. Das Buch lehrt die "Opernsprache" und fuhrt anhand der Operngeschichte durch vergangene Jahrhunderte zu den besten Opern, den beruhmtesten Komponisten und den Opern-Schauplatzen von gestern und heute.
David Pogue ist einer der erfahrensten Dummie-Autoren. Er schreibt dabei nicht nur Computertitel, sondern auch zusammen mit Scott Speck Klassik fur Dummies.

Genres: Music, Nonfiction

Paperback

First published January 1, 1997

About the author

David Pogue, Yale '85, is the weekly personal-technology columnist for the New York Times and an Emmy award-winning tech correspondent for CBS News. His funny tech videos appear weekly on CNBC. And with 3 million books in print, he is also one of the world's bestselling how- to authors. He wrote or co-wrote seven books in the "For Dummies" series (including Macs, Magic, Opera, and Classical Music). In 1999, he launched his own series of amusing, practical, and user-friendly computer books called Missing Manuals, which now includes 100 titles.

David and his wife, Jennifer Pogue, MD, live in Connecticut with their three young children.

Reviews

[cobwebbing · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this, Dad jokes and all. I feel like I'm not as totally out of my depth with opera as before and even learned some tangential facts I didn't expect to, like the origin of lietmotifs and the fact that American operas with swing/jazz music exist, just to name a couple of things. That is SO cool. A lot of the fun little stories that they told were super interesting, too. Opera's history is just as drama-filled as opera itself.

I'm currently reading The Paris Opera: An Encyclopedia of Operas, Ballets, Composers, and Performers: Genesis and Glory, 1671-1715, which is a more in-depth look at, as the title implies, Parisian Opera specifically, and I have to say that it made me aware of some details that were left out in this for Dummies book. Not that I expected any differently, I just think it's worth noting that this is exactly what it promises: an introduction to the subject with some brief overviews of a lot of information, not an exhaustive resource.

Classical Music for Dummies was continuously referenced, so I might have to take a stab at reading that next. One of my few qualms was actually just how many times it was referenced--I counted four times in the space of an hour of reading. Then again, it felt too earnest to be simply trying to market the other books in the series and just genuinely that they didn't want to repeat themselves.

I'm sure there are updated versions of this, but I think readers should be aware that this was penned in the 90s so some of the information and jokes reflect that.

Also, Andrew Lloyd Webber and specifically The Phantom of the Opera were referenced to the point I'm decently sure the authors are fanboys. Who can blame them, really?

[Michelle Curie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love operas – but I didn't always. Classical music and operas in general comes with a bunch of strange and only partly justified prejudices and presumptions. This was my first ... for dummies read, and I didn't expect it to be so entertaining, enlightening and engaging.



The authors know their stuff and it makes all the difference. I think this is the book I'd recommend to people that are suspicious of operas being able to be fun and also people with no or little musical education – which I like to claim you don't need to like operas. They might seem intimidating: they make you think of snobby old people in suits instead of drama, love, grandness and entertainment.



This book introduces you to the history of operas, gives you an understanding of what makes an opera, what the life of the singer is like, who all the known composers are and why they are the known ones and also gives you easy and detangled summaries of all the famous operas that are regularly being directed in present times. There are fun little tidbits of anecdotes here and there, and while the humour wasn't always quite my taste and occasionally felt a bit outdated, it made for an overall entertaining read. Reading this literally reignited my interest in that form of entertainment and it gave me a good basis of general knowledge about the subject on which I now am excited to build upon.

There were some little typos in the version that I read, which were a shame, since it was accurate and precise in terms of the actual content. It actually also made me more interested in the ... for dummies series in general, too, as I used to think these books were sort of "stupid", while they actually just present subject matter in easily digestible ways. Definitely a recommended read for anyone who is curious!

[Christopher Luciano · Rating 5 out of 5]

The definitive book on teaching the culture opera to beginners such as myself. The book is really good in offering the information in a very clear and unpretentious manner as to not make the material overwhelming. The critical bits to me were the chapters on the different movements in Opera History. In particular the big Opera composers that everyone should be familiar with. The synopsis of the major operas are also a big help.

[Goldkehlchen20 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Das Buch ist sogar noch unterhaltsamer, wenn man Musikwissenschaften studiert hat.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book if you have enjoyed a few operas and want to learn more about them. Opera is surprisingly enjoyable in person. The subtitles make all the difference!

[Rene Rudorff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mir hat's gefallen. wie alle vor Dummies Bücher kompakt und interessant zusammengefasst alles was man über Opern wissen muss.

[Rachel Pollock · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh. A useful overview of opera but wow, it hasn’t aged well. Lots of unfunny fat-lady jokes and otherwise awkwardly shitty humor that just doesn’t go over in 2018 unless you are a hateful bastard.

[Jerry Jares · Rating 5 out of 5]

The authors know their stuff; they cover every aspect of opera. Probably my favorite part of the book is the enclosed cd with selections from various operas. The authors give detailed instructions about each selected opera so that the reader/listener can learn what is unique about each piece played.

The authors have wit and style and explain things in clear, jargon-free language. I learned so much about all aspects of opera: From buying a ticket to learning how to get backstage after the play.

I can't think of enough good things to say about this book; I have other opera books that just recount the storyline of the major operas. This book does so much more. I walked away from this book with a new appreciation for opera -- and these authors.

[Michael P. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Teaching yourself about opera by listening to operas is a slow and uncertain process, for it lacks context and, unless you like everything (I don't), it can be hit and miss as far as how much you enjoy the process.

I tried better books on the subject, but they were too advanced for me. OPERA FOR DUMMIES was just right, for I really was an opera dummy. It answered nearly every question I had, gave me a sense of how composer careers developed, asserted the importance of librettists, and gave me a more systematic way to teach myself more when choosing new composers and their operas for study.

The one question the book raised but did not answer is the identity of the diva who is convinced that she needs sex right before a performance to be great, so certain opera companies make sure to supply willing young men to grease her gears before she goes on. I MUST KNOW THIS!

[Annette Goena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Its a really fun book, it makes opera very accessible and friendly. I would definitely reread it. The only really annoying thing about it was that they kept referring back to another book that the authors wrote on classical music. Everything else about it was really good. It covers all different aspects: history, musical periods, voices. It does the synopsis for the 50 most important operas and also has a section on "lesser" operas, like my favorite "Norma". This edition also includes a cd where you listen to music and they give you notes on what to listen to.

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This Dummies book is probably one of the best I've ever read, all it made me the most excitable person about opera ever.

Too bad I have approximately 1.75 people who share the interest!

Great trivia, a fantastic reference guide for the classics as well as a great historical overview of this age old art form.

[Samuel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Recycles quite a few of the jokes in Classical Music for Dummies but does the job of teaching dummies about the joys of opera. I'm proud to say that I am now fully entrenched in the classical music world and have developed my own tastes and opinions, with the wise guidance of these two authors. Hell, I'm even reviewing opera now.

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book! Very enjoyable: quirky and sooo funny, yet really informative. Great intro to the opera. I'm looking forward to reading the 'companion' book on classical music. I found the funny recommendations referring to this book amusing.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really solid collection for those who need more basic knowledge on opera. It sums up the plots of the most famous operas, which is really helpful. A great basic overview for the opera novice.

[Bill · Rating 3 out of 5]

If your are interested, but not ready to become a full time student, this is a good book. It makes the art accessible and eased my anxiety.

[Bologna_frog · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read when Der Fliegender Hollander was in Anchorage, ~2005. We would get free concert tickets from KLEF 98.1 FM.

[Elizabeth Quinn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this as research for my novel, My Phantom: The Memoir of Christine Daaé. An even more useful guide with a bonus CD."

[Kris (My Novelesque Life) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 STARS

A very informative reference book for any Opera beginner - it's easy and fun! A great handbook.

[Zilniya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Primer libro de la serie "Para Dummies" que leo. Se me ha hecho ameno, y más al ir descubriendo la ópera más allá de Verdi y Puccini. Lo único que he echado en falta es un CD recopilatorio.

[Indira · Rating 4 out of 5]

Explicación clara y amena.
Leí otros libros sobre ópera y resultaron aburridos, de escritura densa. Este libro tiene une estilo ligero, de fácil lectura.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you're at all interested in opera this is a very informative and entertaining read.