Description

Book Synopsis
What was it like at the opening night of Mozart's Don Giovanni or Wagner's Das Rheingold? This introduction to the world of opera takes us behind the scenes, during premiere performances of five operas.

Trade Review
"Kelly had done a prodigious job at organising his source material." Peter Reed, Sunday Telegraph "A rare and wonderful cultural history." Philip Kennicott, Washington Post "An absorbing tangle of minutiae about performing circumstances, personalities, conventions, expectations, critical responses, gossip... This book is readable. Addictively." Michael White, Opera Now "This thoroughly enjoyable and informative book will delight all opera lovers; highly recommended." Library Journal"

First Nights at the Opera

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    A Paperback / softback by Thomas Forrest Kelly

    £26.12

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    RRP £27.50 – you save £1.38 (5%)

    Order before 4pm tomorrow for delivery by Wed 14 Oct 2026.

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      Book details

      Publisher Yale University Press
      Published 1 May 2006
      ISBN-13 9780300115260
      978-0300115260
      ISBN-10 0300115261

      Description

      Book Synopsis
      What was it like at the opening night of Mozart's Don Giovanni or Wagner's Das Rheingold? This introduction to the world of opera takes us behind the scenes, during premiere performances of five operas.

      Trade Review
      "Kelly had done a prodigious job at organising his source material." Peter Reed, Sunday Telegraph "A rare and wonderful cultural history." Philip Kennicott, Washington Post "An absorbing tangle of minutiae about performing circumstances, personalities, conventions, expectations, critical responses, gossip... This book is readable. Addictively." Michael White, Opera Now "This thoroughly enjoyable and informative book will delight all opera lovers; highly recommended." Library Journal"

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