"Opera: The Basics "provides an excellent introduction to the performers and music that make opera an enduring and well-loved musical style. Featuring sidebars throughout the text that present studies of key operas and place the general discussion in context, this easy-to-use guide is logically organized and concludes with a bibliography, discography, and videography. Divided into two parts, "Opera: The Basics": traces the origins of opera, and then introduces the student to its basic terminology; follows the history of major genres in opera, including serious opera, comic opera, semi-serious opera, and vernacular opera. "Opera: The Basics" gives a brief introduction to four centuries of opera, and is ideal for students and interested listeners who want to learn more about this important musical style.