An essential volume for sopranos

The new G. Schrimer/Hal Leonard vocal editions have been greatly improved. This excellent, 200 page volume features 31 arias appropriate for beginning (Vedrai, carino) as well as advanced (Jeux veux vivre) voice students. The arrangements and piano reductions have been updated for accurancy, and optional ornaments are included. A section at the beginning includes notes on each opera as well as literal line by line trandlations-there are no rhyming "english versions" of the words listed in the score itself. Most voice teachers I have known own this book and recommend it to their students.(Other recommendations for voice students -The "Oratorio Anthology" for soprano, "The First Book of Soprano Solos", and "The Prima Donna's Album", all published by G Schirmer/Hal Leonard Press. )The book includes classics such as "O mio babbino caro" as well as modern offerings such as "The Willow Song" from "The Ballad of Baby Doe" I am including a list of the arias found in this volume-perhaps the previous reviewer will change her mind. the title of the opera is in CAPS THE BALLAD OF BABY DOE: "Willow Song," " The Silver Aria," UN BALLO IN MASCHERA "Saper Vorreste" LA BOHEME " Mi chiamano Mimi," "Quando men vo," "Donde lieta," CARMEN "Je dis que rien ne m'epouvante" LES CONTES D"HOFFMAN "Elle a fui, la tourterelle" DON GIOVANNI "Batti batti, o bel maseto" "Vedrai carino" FALSTAFF "Sul fil d'un soffio etesio" FAUST "Ah! Je ris de me voir" FIDELLIO "o war ich schon mit dir vereint" DER FREISCHUTZ "Kommt ein schlanker Bursch gegangen" GIANNI SCHICCHI "o mio babbino caro" GIULIO CESARE "V'adoro, pupille" MADAMA BUTTERFLY "un bel di vedremo" MANON "adieu, notre petite table" THE MEDIUM "The black swan" "Monica's Waltz" LE NOZZE DI FIGARO "Porgi, amor," "Dove sono i bei momenti" "Deh vieni, non tardar" I PAGLIACCI "Stridono lassu" RIGOLETTO "Caro nome" ROMEO ET JULIETTE "Ah! Jeux veux vivre" DER SCHAUSPIELDIREKTOR "Bester Jungling" TARTUFFE "Fair Robin I Love" TURANDOT "Signore ascolta" "Tue che di gel sei cinta" DIE ZAUBERFLOTE "Ach, ich fuhl's"

Dissatisfied amazon.com potential customer

I wish amazon.com would list the contents of books like this one under their book info heading. It's most frustrating for customers like me who are looking for a specific aria. It would be most helpful if the arias were listed the same way as on a CD. Hopefully this suggestion will be taken up and approved. I did not purchase this book for the above reason.

It's a great book for both beginner and expert singers

I really enjoyed singing songs from this book. It has a collection of songs from operas such as "Carmen", "Madama Butterfly", "La Boheme" and many others. They come in a variety of languages. It has songs that work for pretty much any level of voice-- from beginners to experts. It contains songs such as "O Mio Babbino Caro" and "The Willow". It is definately worth getting if you are an opera fan!