Books in the DK Eyewitness Companion Guide series

"e;Packed into every page of this book is the excitement of discovery, knowledge, taste and visual beauty. It all gives the reader the illusion of being at an actual performance."e; Placido Domingo "e;Opera is a beautiful guide for opera enthusiasts as well as the perfect welcome for converts to this ancient rite. It offers today's and tomorrow's audiences a delightful "e;navigation system"e; along an avenue that leads from Monteverdi to Bob Wilson."e; St phane Lissner, Director of the Teatro alla ScalaEssential reading whether you are a seasoned opera goer looking for a quick brush-up before a performance, or new to the genre and wanting to know more.From Baroque to Italian, from Vivaldi to Debussy explore 400 years of music drama from late-Renaissance Italy to works from contemporary names including Philip Glass and Thomas Ad s. Discover hundreds of classic and modern opera interpretations, learn about the lives of operatic masters, from Monteverdi to Adams plus, read act-by-act synopses of more than 160 operas from Madama Butterfly and Tosca to Candide and The Maid of Pskov which signpost the highlights of each opera and help you follow the story-line and identify characters. Eyewitness Companions Opera music for your ears and eyes.

More than 10,000 years of history in the palm of your hand, in ebook formatFrom the early beginnings of human civilization in prehistoric times, to the first manned space flight and beyond, discover all about the things that have influenced our past and shaped our world today.You'll meet great rulers and politicians, philosophers and revolutionaries who have changed world history. Travel to mighty civilisations to explore the progress of humanity. Follow earth-shattering wars and revolutions, major achievements in the fields of science and technology and milestones in the arts.Plus, take a look at the common threads running through the world's diverse and geographically distant cultures, as well as their many differences.