The Birth of an Opera offers an illuminating insight into how operas are written & the personalities incidents & musical circumstances that have shaped their composition. Through a deft compilation of primary sources
- letters memoirs & personal accounts from composers librettists & performers
- Michael Rose re-creates for his readers the circumstances that gave rise to fifteen operatic milestones. From Monteverdi & Mozart to Puccini & Berg each chapter focuses on a well-known opera & tells the story that lies behind its creation. Rather than retreading familiar ground with pages of historical & musical analysis Rose places each opera firmly in the context of the composers life & provides an engaging text in which the varied & colourful personalities involved are seen to discuss comment & contribute in one way or another to the progress of its composition. The reader will find Mozart with a new & flamboyant librettist tackling the risky enterprise of Le Nozze di Figaro; Wagner confessing his hidden love for the woman who inspires him as he creates the passionate drama of Tristan und Isolde; Verdi deep in Shakespearian discussion with Boito as they remodel the tragedy of Othello; Debussy coming almost literally to blows with Maeterlinck over the soprano to take the leading role in Pelleas et Melisande. Throughout Rose offers his readers the most direct possible link to events that have often become twisted or obscured by operatic myth & in so doing captures the bizarre interactions of chance genius practical necessity & dogged determination that accompanied the making of some of operas most enduring masterpieces.

...

The third volume of the crusades trilogy from bestselling Swedish author Jan Guillou. Arn de Gotha has become one of the most feared warriors of the Knights Templar fighting to liberate Palestine with the Crusaders. At the great battle for Jerusalem a mammoth & bloody struggle where the Christians were finally defeated Arn is saved from certain death by Saladin his longtime enemy & trusted friend. Ravaged by wounds & sickness Arn is at last granted his wish: to return at last to his homeland it plagued by endless wars. Arn is determined to find her
- the woman for whom he was exiled. He must discover if their love could endure so long a separation & if it can sustain his new quest: the create a new people a new society both Christian & Muslim both craftsmen & warriors with Arn at its helm fighting for peace in a savage l&. A fitting conclusion to a great trilogy a bestseller all over Europe & now the basis for a major film.
...

This thematic history of the world from 1780 to the onset of the First World War reveals that the world was far more globalised at this time than is commonly thought. This book: explores previously neglected sets of connections in world history; reveals that the world was far more globalised even at the beginning of this period than is commonly thought; sketches the ripple effects of world crises such as the European revolutions & the American Civil War; shows how events in Asia Africa & South America impacted on the world as a whole; considers the great themes of the nineteenth-century world including the rise of the modern state industrialization & liberalism; & challenges & complements the regional & national approaches which have traditionally dominated history teaching & writing. ...

Yes what is Dionysian?
- This book provides an answer
- a man who knows" speaks in it the initiate & disciple of his god.

...

Alessandra is not quite fifteen when her prosperous merchant father brings a young painter back with him from Holland to adorn the walls of the new family chapel. She is fascinated by his talents & envious of his abilities & opportunities to paint to the glory of God. Soon her love of art & her lively independence are luring her into closer involvement with all sorts of taboo areas of life. On excursions into the streets of night-time Florence she observes a terrible evil stalking the city & witnesses the rise of the fiery young priest Savanarola who has set out to rid the city of vice richness even art itself. Alessandra must make crucial decisions about the shape of her adult life as Florence itself must choose between the old ways of the luxury-loving Medicis & the asceticism of Savanorola. & through it all there is the painter whose love will change everything. ...

The most anticipated part of pregnancy is giving birth; yet most pregnancy books devote only a chapter or two to this miraculous event & the physical discomfort that accompanies it. Uniquely Birth Skills" concentrates solely on helping you & your partner manage the pain of childbirth
- from the first contraction throughout the labour to the actual birth itself. Written by leading obstetric physiotherapist Juju Sundin with Sarah Murdoch providing a mothers point of view this wonderful book tells you exactly how your body works in labour & clearly explains how you can use movement breathing vocalisation visualisation & many other easy-to-follow techniques to alleviate pain. Juju & Sarahs sound advice makes " Birth Skills" an invaluable guide for all expectant parents."
...

This new title in the popular Look & Say" series is designed to introduce very young children to birthday words. Five colourful scenes show how people can celebrate birthdays. Crammed with real-life objects this book provides a fantastic way for children to recognise & talk about their own experiences giving hours of entertainment. Illustrated with Jo Litchfields handmade models each page features a robust tab enabling children to locate their favourite scenes quickly & easily." ...

Fiona Cairns turns her attention to birthdays adding a touch of bling to her trademark pretty style. Every day of the year is someone's birthday the chance to celebrate with close friends or family or maybe an excuse for a larger bash. A birthday cake is the centrepiece ablaze with candles cut with a secret wish & shared to create precious memories. Many families have a treasured recipe baked for every birthday. Perhaps you'll find a new family favourite in these pages. Whether you are one or 100 a Goth or a gardener there is the perfect cake for you here. The Birthday Cake Book has 52 new recipes & 61 cake decorations including 16 cupcakes. Every recipe is delicious. Try the sensational masala chai cake with ginger fudge frosting or a sophisticated pistachio Grand Marnier & olive oil creation. Many require no sugarcraft skills at all. Fiona also gives five spectacular themed parties from Vampires with an eye-popping crystal skull cake to Vintage Tea Party with a super-realistic crocodile handbag cake. So bring a special gift to a birthday party & get baking! ...

Birthdays are important yet the gift giving part is always difficult. We believe that this oversized birthday candle is a great way of celebrating the passage of years without starting a fire. This is one classy candle that looks really cool on the cake. ...

Perfect for reading together or for children who are just starting to read alone. Filled with gorgeous illustrations. Willow Valley is a very special place. Nestled in a hidden valley trees of all shapes & sizes grew on the rolling green hills & pretty flowers dance in the meadows. Only the animals who live there know their way in & out but they hardly ever want to lave because theyre having too much fun! Riley the mouse Starla the badger & Horatio the hedgehog are the best of friends. Its Rileys birthday & they cant wait for his party! What will his present be ...