No comments about Marketing for Cultural Organisations: New strategies for attracting audiences to classical music , dance, museums, theatre and opera..

5 comments about Cinderella and Company: Backstage at the Opera with Cecilia Bartoli.

1. Apaprently some of the readers of "Cinderella & Company" would rather curl up with Grove. This is a endlessly witty book. Manuela Hoelterhoff is a gifted, and very funny writer, who doesn't shirk from piercing the pomposity and self-importance of the opera world. At the same time, she clearly loves the art form.



2. While Bartoli is on the cover, she is really not the center topic of this book. It's really about the people that make opera "big" today. The author never misses an opportunity to slam any singer that crosses her path or someone else's path. What bothers me most is here is an obviously intellegent woman who seemingly makes most of her income in a world that she so abhors. Perhaps she felt better about herself after writing the book but it does little for the world of opera. My guess her research consisted of reading a couple of months of any Opera bulletin board on the Web for the trash she re-cycles.



3. The author of title clearly must not like singers much. Cecilia Bartoli is but a minor character in this grand production, but again, very little insight into her world. There are some interesting moments, but few, and not an easy read given how Ms. Holeterhoff wanders. Granted, some of her scathing remarks about Kathleen Battle's behavior and Mr. P's divorce are warranted. Yet her hurtful comments about other singers and their weight trouble is particularly nasty. Keep looking.



4. This book belongs in the library of everyone with a passing interest in the world of opera, not so much for what it reveals about Ms. Bartoli (which is precious little except that she is perpetually in the midst of a family crisis), but because of Manuela Hoelterhoff's deliciously wicked, slightly skewed view of the art form that brings together the best, and worst, aspects of drama and music. Ms. Hoelterhoff's several years honing her word craft as opera reviewer for the Wall Street Journal were not wasted. She is masterful with a well-turned phrase, as shown in her description of a famous operatic manager, "a motor-mouthed, bullet-headed, forever-tan egomaniac who is adored and loathed in about equal proportions among those who've had the joy of doing business with him." And her knowledge of opera and singers is encyclopedic. Sometimes she is laugh-out-loud funny-her one run-on sentence synopsis of Bellini's La Straniera is a knee-slapper-other times, she elicits an internal smile, but always, she offers insightful commentary on the world of opera. (Her insider's view of Roberto Alagna and Angela Gheorghiu, for example, clarifies why they are the operatic couple everyone loves to hate.) Buy this book for your permanent library-and mark the passages that tickle your funny-bone so that you can find them quickly if you need to brighten your day. (If this book is had an index so that one can easily find his or her favorite parts, I would have given it five stars.)



5. This book amused me no end, and, as one who likes opera but knows little about the opera world, I found it quite informative. I wrote this in 1999, after reading the earlier reviews, but wanted to get my name on it, so it's on top even though it belongs chronologically near the bottom.
   
   I decided to write this note after reading all the nasty reviews by the sourballs above. If you are a sourball, don't read this book. If you aren't, you'll find that the five-star reviews are correct.

5 comments about The World of the Trapp Family.

1. This book is a really great behind-the-scenes type book about the real Von Trapp family. Fans of the movie may not like it as much, because there isn't very much stuff written about the making of the SOM. However, it really gives you a very clear picture of the way the story reall was without detracting from the magic of the movie.



2. ....because I find so many information about the Trapp Familiy which I don't know. I saw the two german movies from 1956 und 1958 and the american from 1965, and I like all this films.

   The pictures make it easy to read.

   But there is something, that I don't like. Martina, who died in 1951. Maria Augusta wrote only one and a half sentences about her stepdaughter. Why had she done that ?

   Good, that I've read "Yesterday, Today and Forever", so I know the tragedy of Martina's death.

   ...




3. I had the opportuntiy to buy this book last fall when I saw the grandchildren of Maria Von Trapp in concert at the Dollywood theme park. Having read the account by Maria in her book "The story of the Trapp Family Singers" as a child I was fully aware that the movie and the real story were not identical, however the liberties of the movie version aside this book is a delight for anyone who loves the story and music of the Von Trapps. It gives you a first hand insight to what the family went through from the Natzi's to the building of their inn in Vermont to the rebuilding of it after it was destory by fire. The photography is superb and the history of this family is one I have enjoyed for years and will for years to come. I can hardly wait til next Christmas to add the Von Trapp Children CD to my holiday music enjoyment.



4. I really enjoyed the beautiful pictures. I first read "The Trapp Family Singers" by Maria which was great but I wanted pictures and more info and this book was greatly enjoyed.I really liked it.



5. This is one book I will keep in my private library. Very good book with all the pictures. My mother has enjoying looking at it also.

2 comments about Black Rhythms of Peru: Reviving African Musical Heritage in the Black Pacific (Music Culture).

1. I read this book because of my interest in Peru (after a trip to Peru several years ago) and, as a conga player, my interest in the African Musical Diaspora (Afro-Cuban, Afro-Brazilian, etc.) I wanted to learn more about the music created in Peru by people descendant from Africans, and how it was influenced by the other peoples of Peru. I was surprised how much I liked this book and how much I learned. Heidi Feldman brings a level of intelligence and understanding that clearly avoids mistakes of oversimplification. She is sensitive and perceptive. She can clearly express the complexities of culture, music and the creative process. I recommend this book highly.



2. This is a great study in the dichotomy of authentic versus world Peruvian music. The author has a very good handle on the truth about Afro-Peruvian music in both past and present.

5 comments about Buster Keaton Remembered.

1. the photos are worth the price of admission, many i had not seen before as a long time fan of keaton. the text is clear, and not horribly sentimental, which i was afraid to find as the book was co-written by his last wife.
   
   gorgeous. really well done.



2. I've always been a little disappointed that Buster Keaton gets overshadowed by stars like Chaplin, mainly because he was more than just a silent comedian. In many ways, he was a daredevil of his time, always doing his own stunts and risking his life on several occasions. In today's Hollywood, what star would've dared let a whole house fall on him and miss by mere inches as Buster does in Steamboat Bill Jr.?? Not even Jackie Chan would've tried that one!

   With that in mind, Buster Keaton Remembered is superb at illustrating a lot of the stunts and tricks he used in making his best movies, not to mention the man himself, with some glorious candid and studio photography.

   The only real disappointment I found with this book is the text's general lack of depth. Sure, the classic shorts and features are all here. But his later work (post-1940) is generally glossed over. Many intriguing elements are also introduced like the death of one of his gag writers, his unreleased film "Ten Girls Ago", his family becoming part of Buster's films, etc. But in most cases, these are only mentioned in passing and get little analysis or explanation.

   But then, Buster Keaton Remembered isn't really meant to be a biography - this is more of a coffee table book. So if you're looking for a stunning pictorial of his life, this is the one to pick up. If you're looking for more detailed insights into the man and his movies, it's time to head for the library.




3. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Being a fan of Buster, I've read numerous bios, ranging from mediocre to all out hatchet jobs. Students of the "Great Stone Face" will learn a lot, I certainly did. The photographs alone are worth the price of the book, epsecially the "stills" from THE GENERAL, STEAMBOAT BILL JR. and ONE WEEK. Keaton always seems to take the proverbial "back-seat" to Chaplin, but Buster was the better comic, by FAR!!! And, as an added bonus, you can see how Buster and Eleanor made the "pork-pie hats" worn in so many of Keaton's films.



4. I can't believe I've reached my 50th review.And it is happily on a topic near and dear to my heart.....Buster Keaton.
   Buster was not as appreciated as he might have been in his 1920s heydays.And when his downfall at the hands of MGM came in the early 30s,as far as the public was concerned he was just considered just another fatality
   like so many of his peers that occured in the late 20s and early 30s with the conversion to sound.He was soon forgotten.
   But it didn't keep Buster down the least bit.He eventually battled back from depression and acute alcoholism.He was rarely out of work for very long and whether behind or in front of the camera he continued on like a trouper for the rest of his days.
   The man lived and breathed comedy and never lost his ability in the development and creation of gags.And of course his masterful directing abilities and knowledge of the camera were unquestionable.
   Buster fortunately lived long enough to see a steady resurgence in his popularity and homages from many in the film industry.And his public persona also reached new heights as new generations rediscovered his older films and/or relished his appearances in newer films and on TV.
   This book then is a fitting tribute to a legend and one of the GREAT(and I don't use this word lightly) purveyors of screen comedy in the 20th century.
   It is first and foremost a pictorial tribute.It is absollutely filled with wonderful photographs,some I have seen but others I have not.
   It even has a photo montage of a Buster how-to on creating his trademark pork pie hat.
   All this is nicely rounded out with text from the author and most especially his late widow Eleanor.
   All in all I recommend this book highly to those who are just discovering this great screen comedy genius.There's no better way to acclimate yourself to his life and career.And to those like myself who have known and adored this mans' work for years,this book should be an essential piece in the Buster Keaton section of your library.



5. LOVE IT, BEAUTIFULLY WRITTEN.
   Would love to get more of his silent films
   The General is wonderful!!!!!!
   I LOVE Amazon.com..........you have everything
   Thankyou

No comments about San Francisco Ballet at Seventy-Five.

No comments about Capture the Portrait: How to Create Great Digital Photos.

2 comments about Broadcast Announcing Worktext: Performing for Radio, Television, and Cable.

1. Reading this book and working through the cd won't exactly make you a broadcasting star, but it definitely guides you at the required talents and qualifications for conforming to industry standards.
   
   The cd-rom consists of video and audio segments or snippets as they are quite short on the average; it includes voice commentaries, installation videos, teleprompters, and practice media for you to develop your skills.
   
   The book is and entertaining read with chapters on the history of broadcasting, the various types of broadcasting( radio dj, television, cable etc), the great broacasters, interviews, the biology of the human voice mechanism, techniques and the like.
   
   Overall this book is definitely helpful in guiding towards the broadcasting industry and could be useful for students of mass communication and media studies.



2. I have trained two radio announcers with this book as the text. Wonderful, masterful radio announcing textbook.

1 comments about Tristan and Isolde: English National Opera Guide 6 (English National Opera Guides).

1. I rely on ENO for their excellent breakdowns of OPERAS. Makes it so much more enjoyable.

3 comments about Chicago (French's Musical Library).

1. The script behind the smash hit broadway show "CHICAGO!". Complete with original cast list, synopsis at the beggining, characters and descriptions, and lyrics/libretto included in the text of the show. A wonderful play that wraps you in the wrath of two young women, Roxie Hart and Velma Kelly, in a murder scaldal trying to escape with the help of sleezey lawyer, Billy Flynn. A great read and fantastic musical. Availabily my be difficult as it is out of print (I bought it used) so you can buy it from the publiser, Samuel French online from the website by the same name (samuelfrench.com) Thanks for reading!



2. I have the Broadway Vocal Selections, and that was just fabulous, but this one is by far my favorite. Kander and Ebb (Cabaret) are the kings of Broadway. And this one has my favorite Chicago song, "Cell Block Tango" which i loved on stage and loved even more on screen. These songs are the best, and I hope broadway shows get better and better, because in my opinion, these two gentlemen have set the bar...and it is high!!



3. You don't need to play the piano to enjoy this book. With 8 pages of picture, it's pretty enjoyable. Plus it has the lyrics, and the different stage ending for "cell Block Tango".