Books
York Opera Books
Have you ever wondered why opera plots are so implausible? So often we are expected to suspend our disbelief, and to immerse ourselves in the exhilarating music and wonderful spectacle, but some questions deserve to be answered. Why does The Magic Flute begin with Prince Tamino being chased by a dragon? Why does Hugh the Drover drive horses instead of cattle, and where are they? If Ruddigore is set in a Cornish fishing village, then why are there no fishermen living there? York Opera chorus member, Bill Read, has made it his mission over the years to identify and answer the overlooked questions behind the operas our group have presented, and in our 60th anniversary year, his writings are presented for your enjoyment.
Mystery! Intrigue! Buns!
York Opera chorus member Bill Read attempts to unravel what is going on behind the scenes in Gilbert & Sullivan’s famous operas.
The Yeomen of the Guard - Are Jack Point and Elsie secret Scottish assassins?
Ruddigore - Just how many members of the Murgatroyd family are hiding in disguise?
Iolanthe - What are the political implications of rule by Fairy Government?
The Pirates of Penzance - Are the Major-General’s daughters really who they seem?
The Gondoliers - What is the Spanish Inquisition doing in Venice?
HMS Pinafore - Is Buttercup a secret master criminal?
The Sorcerer - Does Lady Sangazuire’s family really date back to the Ice Age?
Price £10
Spies! Assassins! Drinking songs!
York Opera chorus member Bill Read investigates the many unanswered questions of grand operas.
Hugh the Drover - Why does Hugh have no horses?
The Magic Flute - Is Sarastro married to the Queen of the Night?
The Merry Wives of Windsor - Is Falstaff a secret Welsh agent?
Amahl and the Night Visitors - Why are there so many twins in Amahl’s village?
Turandot - Why doomed princes should never ring the gong when Turandot is in the bath!
Carmen - Is Carmen a Hypnotoad?
The Elixir of Love - Why do the villagers have so many parties?
Tales of Hoffmann - Why singing is bad for your health!
The Beggar’s Opera - Drinking, quaffing and Simile Bingo!
Price £10
To order your copies, please fill in the form below. Payment can be made to: York Opera, Sort Code: 20-99-56 Account Number: 00996653 Reference: Book Purchase