Beyond the Doorway: The Operas of Claude Debussy, Paul Dukas, and Maurice Ravel

Not all fairytales have happy endings. Composers Claude Debussy, Paul Dukas, and Maurice Ravel, through their operas, teach their audiences that love often comes with a price. Stephen J. Trygar explores these operas-from Debussy's epic tale of forbidden love in Pelleas et Melisande to a temper tantrum gone awry in L'Enfant et les Sortileges-to allow those interested in attending a performance or listening to a recording an opportunity to understand the message woven into the music by these composers. Vol. 2 of the anthology Tales of Love, Loss, Magic, and Reality provides detailed synopses, moments in the music to look out for, and recommended recordings of each of these operas to make your night out at the opera a more enjoyable experience.