The Standard Operaglass Detailed Plots of One Hundred and Fifty-one Celebrated Operas

"The Standard Operaglass" by Charles Annesley is an early 20th-century guide that opens up the world of opera. It delivers detailed stories and important notes on a curated list of one hundred and fifty-one well-known operas, designed for opera lovers and experts. Starting with Weber's funny opera "Abu Hassan," where a character's money problems lead to a daring plan, the book explores famous operas like Meyerbeer’s "L'Africaine" and Verdi's "Aida." For each opera, it swiftly hits the key points of their stories and main ideas, giving readers a rich look at opera's biggest hits, their composers, memorable characters, and historical backgrounds.