Operas in English : A Dictionary

Operas in English have a long and varied history encompassing everything from the English masques of the 17th century to today's crossover music dramas such as "Harvey Milk" and "Rent".

This book covers in detail more than 2900 English-texted operas by composers including Purcell, Handel, Britten, Bernstein and Musgrave.

Most were born in English-speaking countries, but the list also includes such composers as Weill (his American stage works) and Henze (his operas with dual English-German texts).

The work provides specific information such as prermiere details, plots, characters and casts.

The work begins with an historical overview. Many entries include scores, librettos, bibliographies and discographies.

It also cross-references, four appendixes (composers, librettists, authors and sources, and a chronology), and three indexes (characters, performers and general).