{"product_id":"puccini-without-excuses-a-refreshing-reassessment-of-the-worlds-most-popular-composer-9781400077786","title":"Puccini Without Excuses: A Refreshing Reassessment of the World's Most Popular Composer","description":"\u003cp\u003ePuccini is the most beloved composer of opera in the world: one quarter of all opera performances in the U.S. are of his operas, his music pervades movie soundtracks, and his plots have infiltrated our popular culture. But, although Puccini's art still captivates audiences and the popularity of such works as \u003ci\u003eTosca, La Boh me, \u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eMadama Butterfly\u003c\/i\u003e has never waned, he has long been a victim of critical snobbery and cultural marginalization.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn this witty and informative guide for beginners and fans alike, William Berger sets the record straight, reclaiming Puccini as a serious artist. Combining his trademark irreverent humor with passionate enthusiasm, Berger strikes just the right balance of introductory information and thought-provoking analysis. He includes a biography, discussions of each opera, a glossary, fun facts and anecdotes, and above all keen insight into Puccini's enduring power. For anyone who loves Puccini and for anyone who just wonders what all the fuss is about, \u003ci\u003ePuccini Without Excuses\u003c\/i\u003e is funny, challenging, and always a pleasure to read.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eINCLUDES: \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e- Why Puccini's art and its message of hope is crucial to our world today\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e- How Anglo audiences often miss the mythic significance of his operas\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e- The use of his music as shorthand in films, from \u003ci\u003eA Room with a View \u003c\/i\u003eto \u003ci\u003eFatal Attraction\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e- A scene-by scene analysis of each opera\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e- A guide to the wealth of available recordings, books, and videos\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eBinding Type:\u003c\/b\u003e Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 11\/08\/2005\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN:\u003c\/b\u003e 9781400077786\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 480\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 0.75lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 7.94h x 5.32w x 1.08d\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReview Citations: \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003ci\u003ePublishers Weekly\u003c\/i\u003e 09\/05\/2005 pg. 47\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eKirkus Reviews\u003c\/i\u003e 09\/15\/2005 pg. 1008\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eLibrary Journal\u003c\/i\u003e 10\/15\/2005 pg. 59\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"William Berger","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44033763246261,"sku":"9781400077786","price":18.7,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0473\/0804\/6492\/files\/img_9ccc65df-927e-481c-8393-2d226f9287d4.jpg?v=1713885719","url":"https:\/\/pastforward.org\/products\/puccini-without-excuses-a-refreshing-reassessment-of-the-worlds-most-popular-composer-9781400077786","provider":"Past Forward","version":"1.0","type":"link"}