In this handsome and invaluable book, James Fuld, author of The Book of World-Famous Music, examines the libretti of 167 works of musical theater. For each opera, operetta, or musical comedy libretto, he supplies a facsimile of the title page (see opposite) and, facing, all the relevant facts that can be gleaned from a close study of the original publication. In addition to a description of the physical properties of each libretto, you will find, for example, the date and place of the first performance, the names of the singers who created the roles, the original publisher of the score, and the libraries in which copies of the work in question may be found. Opera lovers will browse in it with delight, and scholars consult it with profit. Andrew Porter