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
Götterdämmerung: German–English Side-by-Side Opera Libretto
Götterdämmerung: German–English Side-by-Side Opera Libretto
The final chapter of Wagner’s Ring — now in a precise German–English side-by-side format.
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Der fliegende Holländer: German–English Side-by-Side Opera Libretto (Paperback)
April 12, 2026
Der fliegende Holländer returning to the stage this season in Vienna, Bayreuth, Australia
Eugene Onegin: Russian–English Side-by-Side Opera Libretto paperback
April 11, 2026
A new paperback is available now
Le convenienze ed inconvenienze teatrali — new side-by-side translation
April 5, 2026
Le convenienze ed inconvenienze teatrali English translation

Today in Opera History — April 29

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1727
The premiere of Jean-Philippe Rameau's opera "Hippolyte et Aricie" took place at the Paris Opéra, marking his operatic debut.
1854
Premiere of Giuseppe Verdi's opera 'Il Trovatore' at Teatro Apollo in Rome.
1894
Italian composer Ruggero Leoncavallo conducted an important early performance of his opera "Pagliacci" in Milan following its initial success.
1899
Birth of Sir Thomas Beecham, English conductor and impresario, known for founding the London Philharmonic and Royal Philharmonic orchestras and for his interpretations of opera.
1907
Italian conductor Tullio Serafin, renowned for his work in opera, made an important early conducting appearance in the Italian repertoire.
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