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Opera, said Moliere, is the most expensive noise known to man. From its beginnings in the 16th century, through to today when there are as many musical styles as there are composers, opera has fascinated, infuriated, delighted, been censored, been banned, excited riots, even won a nation its freedom. Here is the colourful story of sometimes temperamental composers and even more temperamental singers working in an art form which has produced some of man's noblest artistic creations.

This absorbing history is illustrated by over 100 musical examples by Naxos artistes as well as some of the greatest singers of the 20th century including Enrico Caruso and Fyodor Chaliapin.