Written by the foremost British Handel scholar, these essays encompass a variety of opera-related subjects, including shorter pieces for "The Listener" and substantial surveys, such as "Shakespeare in the Opera House" and "Beethoven and Opera." Scholarly articles containing the results of original research appear alongside essays intended for the general reader with an interest in opera. The collection spans thirty-five years of work. In light of recent information, each essay has been updated, annotated, and revised for this volume.