Editorials
School Library Journal
Gr 9 Up
Schoell focuses less on the music and more on the man, providing details of Verdí's personal life and relationships, struggles with censors and publishers, and his patriotic fervor and influence. While each opera is given a brief synopsis, there is little attempt to describe the influences on the composer's work and his own effect on the musical landscape. Technical phrases such as "bel canto" and "libretto" are defined within the text, but no glossary is included for easy reference, and not all of the foreign-language titles are translated. The illustrative material is of good quality. The book has good information, but students (particularly of music) will require additional sources.
—Christi VothCopyright 2006 Reed Business Information.