"Forget about the fat lady and those viking helmets, most of a century out of date. Opera is a living, breathing art form of today with something to recommend it to almost any listener. This survey of the subject by Betsy Schwarm, author of Classical Music Insights, considers how opera came to be, how it developed, and where it is going in the 21st century. Along the way are explorations into 101 operas, with stories ranging from Greek myths to atomic bombs and more. Those new to the field will find an open door -- opera aficionados will get a behind-the-scenes look into how operas familiar and less well-known alike came to be how they are. Delve into the delights of opera, from Monteverdi to Philip Glass, from Mozart to Lori Laitman. Somewhere in the operatic realm is something perfectly suited to your tastes!"--P. [4] of cover.