Opera for Lovers

Soprano Kiri te Kanawa is the most renowned New Zealander since Sir Edmund Hillary, famed around the world for a ravishing voice that is perfectly suited to performing the operas of Mozart and Richard Strauss. Made a Dame of the British Empire for her services to the crown (she sang at the wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana--oh, well), she's a familiar presence on compact discs and opera videos, as well as in the great opera houses of Europe and North America. Now she's produced (with the aid of writer Conrad Wilson) a book of thoughts, recollections, and observations on some well-beloved operas (along with some thoughts, recollections, and observations on colleagues, singers, conductors, and directors). This handsome and well-designed book is lavishly illustrated with wonderful production shots from various well-known opera companies.