"Opera for Beginners" by Ron David

NOT Just for Beginners, July 28, 2000
Reviewer: A reader from United States
This is an absolutely delightful little book. Much is covered in a highly readable and enjoyable style. Those who know nothing about opera, but would like to learn, will find this a fun and interesting introduction. Those, like myself, who love opera with a passion will also find Ron David's book to be a fun and interesting read -- not to mention "reference". I find that I turn to it often just to check on something. Mr. David's irreverent style is refreshing since I, too, believe that opera is for everyone. True soul music.

An extremely irreverent introduction to opera., May 18, 1996
Reviewer: A reader
Opera for Beginners is, as the title says, for people who know nothing about the subject. But the book is really for folks who want to learn one guy's opinion of it (Ron David). Mr. David gives a concise and entertaining history of the form, a review of 20th century opera singers, and synopses of his 30 favorite operas. The book is about half text, half cartoons. Always amusing, Mr. David tries to link opera to gospel, rock and roll, and rhythm and blues. You may not agree with his view that Mozart is an "overrated" composer --I happen to think his operas are among the finest ever written. But, he gives you something to think about. And, a fine place to begin your exploration of opera. Just don't think you're getting an exhaustive tome here--you can read Opera for Beginners in an hour or two.

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from

PARTERRE BOX

THE QUEER OPERA ZINE

Way less formal but, oddly, equally self-conscious, is Opera for Beginners, a "comic-book" intro from RON DAVID, with fun illustrations from PAUL GORDON. It's one of the few opera books I've ever read with such an openly straight-guy mentality: that's weird enough to make Mr. David an honorary queer. Now, keep in mind that Mr. D is a voice-fancier (and, as such, a major Pav fan) and that his favorite genre is bel canto, and that he takes what STEFAN ZUCKER says at face value. And Ron makes it clear he hates Gigli and Mozart. I say you've gotta admire anyone who's that unafraid of making enemies.

Maybe Ron tries a little too hard to be hip, with references to too many jazz and R&B; musicians (pretty obscure to me, though I am trying to track down DELLA REESE's version of "Quando m'en vo...") But his survey of the prehistory of opera is fascinating if necessarily sketchy, and he has a way of making you want to hear every composer he discusses (except Berlioz, another entry on his shit list). He also is strikingly eloquent about the thunk-on-the-head you get the first time you hear Callas. He's very pro-Maria (unlike so many straight guys) so he's OK in my book.

And the cartoons can get pretty campy. Like, for example, Ron tells the story of Ghiringhelli swearing Callas will never sing at La Scala. Gordon's illustration depicts the impresario seated in a restuarant, screaming to his companion, "Never, not while I run this opera house, will that woman sing here!" And the waiter says to Ghiringhelli, "Fresh pepper with your words?" A fab gift (only 11 bucks) for an operatic virgin, especially a kid.