5 comments about Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

1. This book is a great book to buy, whether for your own personal collection or for auditions...I bought it for an audition and it worked wonderfully!
   To those who say that this book is not complete, I humbly suggest they change the words to "Pharoh's Story" to creat the "Prologue" and also, not all versions of the show featured the "Any Dream Will Do" at the beginning. Some shows only did it at the end...but it's still the same song (minus the narrator's part)
   This is a great book and I'm really happy with my purchase!



2. this was so helpful in teaching the kids the song "Any dream will do." they were able to see how the works broke down to the music and our program was a great success.



3. The book was just what we wanted-music and words with piano accompaniment. They came in excellent condition and we felt the price was fair. The shipment came quickly and everything was well packaged.



4. This is a great score. All the songs are included (with the exception of the Prologue, but as other reviewers have stated, this is the same music as "Pharoah's Story", which is included in the book). The different voice parts are included, and all of the harmonies.
   
   Surprisingly, the book itself is much smaller than I had expected. It is not the size of a normal piano book, and the music itself is smaller than I would have liked. Nevertheless, it is definitely worth buying.



5. Many people have complained that this book is not the complete score. It is not the complete score of the version that is now licensed. This is the COMPLETE vocal score of the 1973 studio album: http://www.amazon.com/Joseph-Amazing-Technicolor-Dreamcoat-London/dp/B000002NWN/ref=pd_bbs_sr_9/105-1926707-3902004?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1182184470&sr=8-9
   
   
   
   If you are absolutely in love with the newer versions of the show, Pharaoh's Story can be reworked to be the Prologue and Any Dream Will Do can be copied and pasted to the beginning, and little alterations will be needed here and there. There are some different lyrics, some different musical passages, and some of the songs are in different keys. A girl trying to sing the Narrator part as this book has it written may have a lot of trouble as the Narrator was sung by a man on that 1973 album. Personally, I think this book is fantastic, and especially at such a low price compared to most vocal scores. It's a real bargain. My advice would be to get this book and the matching recording - both are great.

No comments about Opera: A History in Documents.

No comments about Guide to the Aria Repertoire (Indiana Repertoire Guides).

3 comments about Opera at the Piano: The World's Great Classical Music (World's Greatest Classical Music).

1. The full title of this book is Opera at the Piano: 74 Favorite Selections from 45 Operas Transcribed for Intermediate to Advanced Piano Solo. The title is quite accurate in that nearly all of the selections included are well known "favorite selections." Included are: "Celesta Aida" and the "Triumphal March" from AIDA, "Una voce poco fa" from IL BARBIERE DI SIVIGLIA, four selections each from LA BOHEME, CARMEN, MAGIC FLUTE and LE NOZZE DI FIGARO, three selections each from DON GIOVANNI, MADAMA BUTTERFLY, MANON LESCAUT, RIGOLETTO, TOSCA, LA TRAVIATA, and one or two selections each from: MARTHA, I PAGLIACCI, HANSEL UND GRETEL, LOUISE, LUCIA DI LAMMERMOOR, LA RONDINE, SAMSON ET DALILA, Il TROVATORE, etc. As would be implied by any listing of "favorites," the time period covered is basically Mozart through Puccini, with a few earlier chestnuts thrown in (a couple of selections from Handel's SERSE and GIULIO CESARE and "When I am laid in earth" from Purcell's DIDO AND AENEAS). The book includes transcriptions of instrumental works as well as vocal works -- the Intermezzo from Macagni's CAVALLERIA RUSTICANA, the Waltzes from Strauss' DER ROSENKAVALIER, the Mediation from Massanet's THAIS, and overtures to Rossini's GUILLAUME TELL and Glinka's RUSLAN AND LYUDMILA. None of the well known instrumental music of Wagner is included and his presence in this volume is limited to two selections from TANNHAUSER. Included at the beginning of the book are short paragraph-length synopses of all of the operas represented which would no doubt be helpful to those unfamiliar with all of the operas represented. The transcriptions are pianistic and work well at the keyboard. None of the transcribers are identified. The pieces are of medium to advanced difficulty. These are not transcriptions in the sense of the virtuosic Lisztian operatic transcriptions where Liszt wrote new compositions based on operatic melodies. Instead, these are straightforward faithful piano transcriptions of works originally written for voice and orchestra. It is unlikely that any of these pieces would be included on recital programs. I see the main function of these pieces as giving opera loving pianists hours of pleasure playing through them for him/herself and maybe for friends.



2. Unless you are a virtuoso pianist and can handle the Liszt transcriptions of opera, this is a fantastic way to play some of the greatest opera music on solo piano.

   I particularly like the "Revenge Song" from "The Magic Flute." These are for intermediate to intermediate-advanced (you can play some Beethoven Sonatas, for example) and deliver a lot of pleasing sound for the effort.




3. While I just received the book and haven't gotten a chance to really check it out, I did go to "O mio babbino caro" from Gianni Schicchi (which was the major reason I ordered this collection) and IT WAS MISSING. Page 88 was really Page 90 printed twice. It was disheartening since I've been looking forward to getting it. What are the chances the ONE aria I really wanted was messed up?!! I dont' know if there are any other misprints.
   
   I have emailed the published but have yet to get a response. Until I do, my 1 star will remain.

2 comments about Madama Butterfly (Black Dog Opera Library).

1. This issue from the Black Dog series may be the most successful. The book comes with comments about Puccini's life and a background on the composition of "Butterfly" that is very readable and informative. The Italian/English libretto is nicely presented, with many descriptions of particular arias so that one can stop and pay closer attention to the recording at these points. Finally, the recording that comes with the book is one of the best "Butterflys" around, featuring the imaginative Renata Scotto and Carlo Bergonzi, one of the greatest post-war tenors. So, whether you are a newcomer to this opera and need a good introduction, or whether you already own a version of "Butterfly" and want another great one, this book is for you.



2. Renata Scotto, Carlo Bergonzi, and Rolando Panerai make a superb team, both in their singing and in their acting, for MADAMA BUTTERFLY. Another advantage of the recording (made in 1966) is the stereo sound, which allows all the details of Puccini's rich orchestration to be heard. Listening to this BUTTERFLY is almost as good as hearing a live performance of the opera. The accompanying book is very informative about Puccini, the opera itself, and the artists. It also has lush illustrations and includes a complete libretto in Italian and English. In short, this is another exceptional "Black Dog Opera Library" set.

No comments about Diction Coach Arias for Mezz-Soprano G Schirmer Opera Anthology Bk/2 Cds (Diction Coach - G. Schirmer Opera Anthology).

3 comments about Word-By-Word Translations of Songs and Arias, Part I.

1. Word-By-Word Translations of Songs and Arias: Part I German and French by Coffin is an excellent resource for literal translations of both German and French Songs and Arias. In many cases the exact translation is awkward due to its syntax. In these cases, Coffin also offers a translation in English format. This book is an excellent resource for both teacher and student.



2. I bought this, and its companion volume, after twisting the arm of my voice teacher -- who was not wildly thrilled at the price. An hour after my return home from delivering them, he called me and told me they were so good he'd reimburse me double the purchase price!
   
   The word-for-word technique was highly valuable, and we appreciated the added fillip of the re-prasing of certain passages where a literal translation was a bit difficult to understand.



3. This translation source is one of the best. The word-by-word format is so helpful to singers--so much more accurate than the usual English "translations" found under the foreign text. Knowing exactly what each word means allows for so much more expression than just having an overall idea that the song is "all about love" or "it's a song about rejection", etc.

5 comments about The Oxford Book of English Madrigals.

1. This book is great for any madrigal choir to use. It has selections for SAB through SSATBB.



2. An excellent, well-edited anthology! I appreciate the critical comments in the appendix. Also helpful is the given number of voices for each madrigal listing in the index. A perfect volume for my university "Vocal Chamber Ensemble".



3. What a great source for any madrigal group! This book contains a cappella madrigals of 3, 4, 5 and 6 parts (mostly SATB or SSATB) by the major composers of English madrigals, such as Byrd, Farmer, Gibbons, Morley, Ward, Weelkes & Wilbye. If you sing or study this type of music, you must have this book.

   Also check out "English and Italian Renaissance Madrigals" (CD) by the Hilliard Ensemble -- the Oxford book and the English Madrigals CD of this wonderful 2-CD set have 16 songs in common.




4. This is the definitive volume for all singers of 16th and early 17th century English madrigals. Ideal for small groups who want to sing a range of madrigals (both merry and sorrowful) on the hoof without having to juggle separate sheets and volumes. All the favourites are here. The typeface is clear and the A5 format easy to handle. The collection is arranged alphabetically but there is a usful listing by composer for those putting programmes together. Philip Ledger's editing is light of touch and should not offend the purists.



5. The critical notes and selection, as well as the editing, make this (with its companion volumes The Oxford Book of Italian Madrigals and The Oxford Book of French Chansons)the book of choice for madrigal singers. The only problems I find with the book are the tiny print, the pseudo-alphabetical arrangement, and the binding which is quite tight.
   
   The scholarship is flawless and it definitely belongs on the shelf of any madrigal group's artistic director. You really can't hope to have a madrigal group without these books.

3 comments about Prima Donna's Album: 42 Celebrated Arias from Famous Operas.

1. Love this compilation. There are so many arias in this book that would take tons of time (and money) to collect otherwise. Worth the investment.



2. This book is one of the most extensive compilations of the great, lighter soprano arias that I've seen either online or in music libraries. It has a variety of arias that makes this album very useful for nearly any lyric, coloratura and lighter soprano from intermediate to professional level. This book is definitely not suited for beginners in terms of performance; but thinking back to my early days as an aspiring singer I think I would have very much liked to own this book if not only to follow along with the songs I dreamed of singing as an adult.
   
   This book includes much in terms of grace notes that are typically sung, but does not include any optional melismatic passages at all. Usually there will be a smaller staff illustrating such options; but in the case of this book there is usually enough room in between systems to write in your favorite runs.
   
   All in all I would recommend this book to any soprano, teacher, or voice coach because it is a great addition to any home, school, or studio music library.



3. A fabulous compilation for an opera singer to have. I desperately need a new one but I have so many precious notes from coaches over the years I keep taping it together. I have both sung and taught out of it, for years!!
   
   Check out: Vocalize!

No comments about Diction Coach Arias for Tenor G Schirmer Opera Anthology Bk/ 2Cds (Diction Coach - G. Schirmer Opera Anthology).