Opera Libretti, Composer Biographies, and the History of Opera

Explore opera guides, composer biographies, historical milestones, and professionally formatted side-by-side libretto translations in print.

A curated guide to the world’s most important operas, composers, and libretto traditions.

Latest paperback in DM’s Opera Series
Der fliegende Holländer / The Flying Dutchman: Side-by-Side German–English Opera Libretto
Der fliegende Holländer / The Flying Dutchman: Side-by-Side German–English Opera Libretto
Now on stage in Europe — follow with this edition
Amazon $11.99

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Galathée: French–English Side-by-Side Libretto
May 9, 2026
New opera libretto with translation

Today in Opera History — May 16

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1754
Death of Giovanni Carlo Maria Clari, Italian Baroque composer known for his vocal music admired by Handel and Cherubini.
1788
Birth of Friedrich Rückert, German poet whose texts were set to music by composers such as Mahler and Schumann.
2012
Death of Maria Bieșu, Moldovan operatic soprano and People's Artist of the USSR, renowned for her performances in Puccini and Verdi roles.
2025
Death of Charles Strouse, American composer best known for the musical 'Annie'; his work spanned Broadway, film, and television.
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