"Icouldn't imagine a finer or livelier guide through the world of opera. . . . [Levine] distills a lifetime of passion and insight into this immenselyenjoyable survey, and with the right comic touch to make you wonder how operaever seemed intimidating." —Thomas May, author of Decoding Wagner

Despitethe popular success of the Metropolitan Opera’s “Live in HD” series, opera’s grandworld of soaring sopranos and breathtaking baritones—of tragic Rigoletto, triumphal Sigmund, and desperate Orfeo, of faithful Figaro, heartbroken Pagliacci,and lusty Don Giovanni—remains wrapped in an aura of impenetrable esotericism.Piercing this veil of opera’s perceived inaccessibility, acclaimed classicalmusic critic Robert Levine extends a witty and insightfulinvitation to enjoy opera in Weep, Shudder, Die, offering a newgeneration of aficionados a priceless way to access to music’s greatest achievement.

This isn’t your typical stuffy music history book. Inside, Robert Levine demystifies the world's greatest art form with:

Opera for Beginners: Finally understand the difference between an aria and a recitative, and why people still cheer for tragic heroes like Rigoletto and heartbroken clowns like Pagliacci.
A Witty Tour of Music History: From Monteverdi to Mozart and Wagner, Levine connects the dots with the passion of a fan and the insight of a critic, making four centuries of composers feel like old friends.
Famous Operas Demystified: Explore the stories behind classics like Carmen, La Bohème, and The Ring Cycle, with insights that will make you feel like an insider at your next “Live in HD” broadcast.
No Snobbery Allowed: Levine proves you don’t need to rattle your jewelry to love opera, with a conversational style that makes the world’s grandest art form feel personal and exciting.