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{en} William Berger (b.1961). Puccini without Excuses: A Refreshing Reassessment of the World's Most Popular Composer. New York : Vintage Books, 2005.

"Puccini is the most beloved composer of opera in the world: one quarter of all opera performances in the United States 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 Tosca, La Boheme, and Madama Butterfly has never waned, he has long been a victim of critical snobbery and cultural marginalization." "In this 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."--Jacket.

<Contents> The case of Puccini. Why Puccini? Why now? An introduction -- The operas. Manon Lescaut -- La Bohème -- Tosca -- Madama Butterfly -- La fanciulla del West -- La rondine -- Il trittico -- Turandot -- The Puccini code: issues in Puccini and the perception of his works. The myth of Tosca: a key to a fresh perception of Puccini (and everything else) -- Productions: what you might expect to see -- Film music: Puccini as shorthand in today's mass market -- Puccinian permutations -- Exploring Puccini. Singers, recordings, and performances -- Puccini in print: books for further reading.