"A Second Book of Operas" is a literary work authored by Henry Edward Krehbiel, a respected American music critic and historian. The book under consideration constitutes a significant scholarly contribution to the domain of music criticism and analysis, as it offers readers a comprehensive examination of diverse operas and their respective composers. Krehbiel's profound knowledge and mastery of music becomes apparent as he skillfully guides readers through a compelling exploration of the realm of opera. Within this particular volume, the author presents comprehensive analyses of many operas, so providing insights into their historical backdrop, librettos, and musical arrangements. The author's analytical methodology enables readers to acquire a more profound comprehension of the artistic processes underlying these renowned musical and dramatic compositions. In the book "A Second Book of Operas," Krehbiel effectively conveys his fervent enthusiasm for and extensive expertise in the realm of opera, so rendering it comprehensible to a wide-ranging audience. The author's perceptive evaluations and vivid portrayals serve to both instruct and captivate, rendering the book an indispensable reference for aficionados of opera and scholars of music alike. Krehbiel's body of work serves as evidence of his dedication to fostering a heightened recognition and admiration for opera as a medium of artistic expression.
Henry Edward Krehbiel (1854-1923) was an esteemed American music critic and musicologist renowned for his extensive tenure as the principal music critic of The New York Tribune, spanning over four decades. Krehbiel, among Richard Aldrich, Henry Theophilus Finck, W.J. Henderson, and James Huneker, is regarded as a member of the 'Old Guard', a cohort of prominent music critics located in New York who played a pivotal role in establishing a distinctively American approach to criticism. The critic displayed a pronounced inclination towards empiricism, often engaging in the active pursuit of firsthand experiences, accounts, and original sources in his writing. He independently formulated his own findings rather than relying on existing literature by other authors. Krehbiel, being a proponent of meliorism, held the belief that the primary function of criticism was to provide endorsement for music that had the capacity to elevate both the human spirit and intellect. Furthermore, Krehbiel argued that criticism should not only serve as a mechanism for shaping individual preferences, but also as a vehicle for enlightening and instructing the general public. The instructional guide titled "How to Listen to Music," authored by the individual in question, enjoyed significant popularity among the music-consuming public in the United States from 1896 to 1924.
