Italian for the Opera

This book focuses on "operatic" Italian (literary Italian in the classic mode) Parts of speech provide the framework, each of which is illustrated by extracts from many operas. The author works his way from the simple (nouns and articles) to the complex (past subjunctive) and clarifies points of language which non-native speakers often find troublesome: pronunciation, archaic language, convoluted syntax, datives of advantage, nuances and connotation, use of the passato remoto, etc. Included are pages on the sounds of Italian, the meaning of its idioms, the limitations of translations and surtitles, and suggested criteria for evaluating libretti (selections from Verdi's correspondence help to illustrate this section). All translations use the interlinear approach which helps the reader to see connections clearly. Nine quizzes with answers enable the reader to monitor progress. Photos and index included. 152 pp. Visit to see sample pages and the complete text of the reviews. Thomson's method is similar to the late Nico Castel's but was developed independently. "Italian for the Opera" sold out by 2007 and was reprinted in 2016.