Smith, voice of "Saturday Afternoon at the Opera" on Vermont Public Radio for 27 years, claims that his book is much more than a guide; it is a means to developing a passion for opera. To achieve his goal, he covers 400 years of opera knowledgeably and enthusiastically. The text features Mozart, Verdi, Wagner and Puccini but also discusses French and Russian masterworks, operetta and modern opera. Smith includes a list of recommended CDs and libretti, as well as a bibliography. Annotation ©2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)