Early in 1997, a remarkable volume appeared at my bookstore from a publisher I did not know: Black Dog & Leventhal. The Book of 101 Opera Librettos (ISBN 1-884822-79-7) provides nearly 1500 pages of libretti in English and, where appropriate, another language. It appears that they are taken from Met house libretti of the early 1920's so that the selection is frequently surprising, the 'original' language may seem inexplicable, and the translations are far from idiomatic. Other drawbacks include lack of cast information and paper stock little better than newsprint. Nevertheless, this is an outstanding reference for any opera lover and is all the more desirable for its relatively large, clear type. At about $25, it is highly recommended.
More recently, a series of recordings has been released in the Black Dog Opera Library. Each is a fine, classic stereo performance captured in fine sound, beautifully trasnferred to CD. While none may be your first choice among recordings of the opera, they are all commendable for being without major flaw. Each conductor understands and implements the idiom, every voice handles all demands with ease and in every respect the recording is a worthy entry into any collection. (All are drawn from the EMI vaults and none appears to be otherwise available on CD.)
In a reversal of common practice, the discs are enclosed in the booklet. The packaging and documentation are excellent in all respects except one: only selected principle singers are identified. Though each receives a brief biography and photograph, it is odd to see a Bohème that does not credit Musetta. The volumes in this series are highly recommended to all: to the novice as excellent and inexpensive introductions with adequate background information and legible (bilingual) libretti; to the experienced fan seeking a recording with few idiosyncracies and fine singing; and to the old hand who can finally replace his treasured vinyl copies with modern CD incarnations.
Mail me at operas@mrichter.com
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