The past eight years have seen the renaissance of the Diva, with the rise to prominence of a number of female singers who are capable of drawing mass audiences as well as delivering performances to rival those of the stars of the past. The divas analyze their roles, both vocally and dramatically, discuss choices in repertoire and reflect on their lives and careers. Matheopoulos interweaves her narrative with insightful and critical commentary, and peppers her profiles with remarks from conductors, directors, voice teachers, coaches and, on occasion, famous colleagues from the past. She also highlights changes in the opera scene, including the appearance in recent years of many talented Russian singers and the prominence of American-born divas during the last decade. Interviews include 14 sopranos, including Barbara Bonney, Renee Fleming, Angela Gheorghiu, Galina Gorchakova, Catherine Malfitano and Carol Vaness, and seven mezzos, including Cecilia Bartoli, Olga Borodina and Jennifer Larmore.
Ms. Matheopoulos' tome "Diva" is very impressive; however, one cannot write a book on the most famous sopranos and mezzos wihtout including the presence of, arguably, the greatest human voice of the last half of the 20th century, Marilyn Horne. The absence of this inclusion delimits the importance of the book in question. What is the answer, Ms. Matheopoulos?
Diva is Divine
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 23 years ago
I have borrowed Diva from the library - I hate to return it so...I plan to buy this book, so I can read it over and over. As an aspiring opera singer - it has been not only helpful but, inspirational. It is not only interesting to read about how each singer got her start, it is also enlightening to read about the repetoire they choose to sing, the when and the why of it.This is an enjoyable read, even if you don't plan to study opera. If you just want to understand why people love opera- or why others love to sing it, if you want to know how these women became Diva's, or about the triumphs and the failures they experienced....and just a little about their interesting lives, then this book is for you. It makes me want to know more about each of them.Also, Ticket to the Opera is another enjoyable book. (If you are new to being an Opera buff).
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