The Standard Operas: Their Plots, Their Music, and Their Composers (12th edition)

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"The Standard Operas: Their Plots, Their Music, and Their Composers" by George P. Upton is a comprehensive handbook on operas, published during the late 19th century. This work aims to provide readers with a brief but informative overview of operas likely to be performed during regular seasons, featuring insights into each composer's biography, the plot of the operas, notable musical elements, and historical context. The opening of the handbook introduces its objectives and methodology, emphasizing the author’s intent to present accessible information to opera enthusiasts, regardless of their musical education. Upton includes a preface that outlines the structure of the book, detailing the inclusion of prominent scenes, notable musical pieces, and original casts. Following the preface, the contents list various notable composers, such as Auber and Donizetti, along with their signature works, indicating that the subsequent chapters will delve into individual operas, exploring their unique stories, scores, and their contributions to the operatic repertoire.