Published by Thames and Hudson in 1998, this expansive volume offers a "compendious history" of opera, meticulously organized year-by-year and act-by-act. Author Michael Raeburn, a seasoned editor and writer on music and the arts, provides a wealth of anecdotes and historical context that bring four centuries of operatic performance to life. The book is heavily illustrated with over 300 images, including 100 in color, making it an essential reference for both dedicated opera lovers and newcomers to the genre. This hardcover edition is in excellent condition, featuring a bright and intact dust jacket with only minimal shelf wear, while the internal pages are clean, crisp, and securely bound.