The Complete Opera Book
The Stories of the Operas, together with 400 of the Leading Airs and Motives in Musical Notation
Gustav Kobbé, a New York music critic, spent years preparing this guide to the operas heard in the great houses of his time, and it appeared in 1919, shortly after his death. It tells the story of each opera act by act, explains how the music follows the drama and prints some four hundred of the leading airs and motives in musical notation. The book moves through schools and composers, from opera before Gluck to Mozart's Figaro, Don Giovanni and The Magic Flute, Beethoven's Fidelio, Weber, and the music dramas of Wagner, before continuing through the Italian, French and other repertories. Many later editions have kept it in use as a reference for opera lovers. It is available to read online in your browser on Vinteuil, and the first chapter is free.
Start reading right away, without signing up. The complete text is included in Vinteuil Reading, or yours forever with a one-time purchase.
Frequently asked questions about The Complete Opera Book
The Complete Opera Book by Gustav Kobbé can be read online on Vinteuil, directly in your browser. The first chapter is free for everyone; the complete book is included in Vinteuil Reading ($4.99/month or $39.99/year) or yours forever for $2.99.
Can I read The Complete Opera Book online?
Yes. The Complete Opera Book opens right on this page, in a reader designed for long reading: adjustable text size, light, sepia and dark themes, a clickable table of contents and your place saved when you are signed in. No download or app is needed.
Is The Complete Opera Book free to read on Vinteuil?
The first chapter of The Complete Opera Book is free, without an account. To read the whole book, either buy its online reading for $2.99 (£2.99 in the UK) and keep it forever, or subscribe to Vinteuil Reading for $4.99/month (£4.99/month in the UK) or $39.99/year, with 1 month free for new subscribers. The subscription opens every book in the library and can be cancelled at any time.
Is The Complete Opera Book in the public domain?
Yes. The Complete Opera Book by Gustav Kobbé is a public-domain work. Vinteuil offers a carefully prepared digital edition made for comfortable reading on screen.
How long does it take to read The Complete Opera Book?
About 16 h 52 min of reading, at an average reading pace. Your place is saved automatically when you are signed in, so you can read in several sittings and on several devices.
What kind of book is The Complete Opera Book?
The Complete Opera Book by Gustav Kobbé is filed under "Fiction" in the Vinteuil library.
