{"product_id":"verdi-with-a-vengeance-an-energetic-guide-to-the-life-and-complete-works-of-the-king-of-opera-9780375705182","title":"Verdi With a Vengeance: An Energetic Guide to the Life and Complete Works of the King of Opera","description":"Everything you could possibly know about Verdi and his operas, from the brilliant and humorous author of \u003cb\u003eWagner Without Fear\u003c\/b\u003e. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eIf you want to know why \u003cb\u003eLa traviata\u003c\/b\u003e was actually a flop at its premiere in 1853, it's in here. If you want to know why claiming to have heard Bjorling's Chicago performance of \u003cb\u003e Il trovatore\u003c\/b\u003e is the classic opera fan faux pas, it's in here. Even if you just want to know how to pronounce Aida, or what the plot of \u003cb\u003eRigoletto\u003c\/b\u003e is all about, this is the place to look. From the composer's intense hatred of priests to synopses of the operas and a detailed discography of the best recordings to buy, it can all be found in \u003cb\u003eVerdi with a Vengeance\u003c\/b\u003e. William Berger has given another improbable performance, serving up a book as thorough as it is funny and as original as it is astute, an utterly indispensable guide for novice and expert alike.\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50491700281618,"sku":"9780375705182","price":17.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_073c26ae-57dd-49db-bbb5-638c6bbed897.jpg?v=1730550591","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/verdi-with-a-vengeance-an-energetic-guide-to-the-life-and-complete-works-of-the-king-of-opera-9780375705182","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}