For connoisseurs and lovers of opera, this book is a true literary monument and an artistic rarity. Its foundation is the legendary "The Melomaniac's Companion," created by the prominent public figure, famous theater worker, and patron David Margolin in 1908. However, the book has not lost its relevance today, as most great operas were composed before the beginning of the 20th century. For the budding theatergoer, this book is the best introduction to the vast world of opera art: in addition to librettos of more than 60 great operas, it includes information about their first performances on the stages of Western and Russian theaters, noting the vocal composition and characters, quotes from arias, and brief critical-biographical notes about the composers. The true decoration of the book consists of sketches of scenery and costumes, portraits of composers, and illustrations of scenes from operas, created by outstanding Russian and foreign artists, including: I. Bilibin, A. Golovin, V. Vasnetsov, I. Repin, E. Ponomarev, A. Rackham, B. Shaw, E. Bayard, I. Lecont, and many other masters of the 18th-20th centuries.
