Molto Agitato

Molto Agitato PDF Author: Johanna Fiedler
Publisher: Anchor
ISBN: 1400032318
Category : Music
Languages : en
Pages : 445

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Book Description
If the opera world is full of “intrigue, double meanings, and devious dramatics,” then no place exemplifies this more than the world-famous Metropolitan Opera, where politics, ambition, and oversized egos have traditionally taken center stage along with some of the world’s richest music. Drawing on her fifteen years as its press representative, Johanna Fiedler explodes the traditional secrecy that surrounds the Met in this wonderfully entertaining account of its tumuluous history. Fiedler chronicles the Met’s early days as a home for legends like Toscanini, Mahler, and Caruso, and gives a fascinating account of the middle years when haughty blue-bloods battled stubborn adminstrators for control of a company that would emerge as America’s premiere opera house. She takes us behind the grand gold-curtain stage in more recent years as well, showing how musical superstars like Luciano Pavarotti, Plácido Domingo, and Kathleen Battle have electrified performances and scandalized the public. But most revelatory are Fiedler’s portrayals of James Levine and Joseph Volpe and their practically parallel ascendancies—Levine rising from prodigy to artistic director, Volpe advancing from stagehand to general manager—and their once strained relationship. Weaving together the personal, economic, and artistic struggles that characterize the Met’s long and vibrant history, Molto Agitato is a must-read saga of power, wealth, and, above all, great music.

Molto Agitato

Molto Agitato PDF Author: Johanna Fiedler
Publisher: Anchor
ISBN: 1400032318
Category : Music
Languages : en
Pages : 445

Get Book Here

Book Description
If the opera world is full of “intrigue, double meanings, and devious dramatics,” then no place exemplifies this more than the world-famous Metropolitan Opera, where politics, ambition, and oversized egos have traditionally taken center stage along with some of the world’s richest music. Drawing on her fifteen years as its press representative, Johanna Fiedler explodes the traditional secrecy that surrounds the Met in this wonderfully entertaining account of its tumuluous history. Fiedler chronicles the Met’s early days as a home for legends like Toscanini, Mahler, and Caruso, and gives a fascinating account of the middle years when haughty blue-bloods battled stubborn adminstrators for control of a company that would emerge as America’s premiere opera house. She takes us behind the grand gold-curtain stage in more recent years as well, showing how musical superstars like Luciano Pavarotti, Plácido Domingo, and Kathleen Battle have electrified performances and scandalized the public. But most revelatory are Fiedler’s portrayals of James Levine and Joseph Volpe and their practically parallel ascendancies—Levine rising from prodigy to artistic director, Volpe advancing from stagehand to general manager—and their once strained relationship. Weaving together the personal, economic, and artistic struggles that characterize the Met’s long and vibrant history, Molto Agitato is a must-read saga of power, wealth, and, above all, great music.

Music to Die For

Music to Die For PDF Author: Andrea Frazer
Publisher: Headline Accent
ISBN: 1783751533
Category : Humor
Languages : en
Pages : 161

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Book Description
H3`A mischievously entertaining crime novel' SIMON BRETT The sixth instalment in The Falconer Files, Andrea Frazer's insanely gripping village detective series with a delightful slice of humour. Perfect for fans of Agatha Christie, Lillian Jackson Braun and Midsomer Murders. READER'S CAN'T GET ENOUGH OF ANDREA'S QUIRKY CRIME NOVELS!H3 ***** 'I am a great fan of her books which are entertaining, light-hearted and very, very clever. Written by someone who is intelligent, observant and has a great sense of fun' Reader Review ***** 'Excellent story. Great characters. Good plot. I loved the book. I would recommend to all mystery lovers. I can't wait 'til I read the next book' Reader Review ***** 'The plot of this story is well constructed and the characters are all too believable. I enjoyed reading this story and I love the touches of humour' Reader Review ***** 'This book was un-put-downable. The story was very well written as always by this author with lots of twists and turns, great characters and such description... Thoroughly recommended' Reader Review ___________ The last three Musical Directors of 'The Dalziels' had left them high and dry by moving to France. Their next one was to make the 'ultimate move' by getting himself murdered! The village band in Swinbury Abbot has jogged along quite happily for nigh on a decade. Band practices are free and easy affairs, the music never commencing until after a rather lavish meal with wine, followed by more wine, and then maybe running through a piece or two, just for form's sake. Until the vicar turns up with a new musical director, who plays quite a different tune? For the newcomer's ideas of what a band?s routine should consist of are completely at odds with the musicians? current practices. His clashes with the various band members cause enormous resentment, and, in one of them, a hatred strong enough to provoke murder! Into this welter of negative emotions, Detective Inspector Falconer and Detective Sergeant Carmichael of the Market Darley CID arrive, determined to get to the bottom of things and bring the killer to justice, while simultaneously dealing with their own domestic problems. But the musical mayhem and the murderousness doesn't stop there...

Driven to it

Driven to it PDF Author: Andrea Frazer
Publisher: Headline Accent
ISBN: 1783755563
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 29

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Book Description
The fifth instalment in an occasional series of short stories covering the elapsed time between the books in The Falconer Files series. An insanely gripping village detective series with a delightful slice of humour. Perfect for fans of Agatha Christie, Lillian Jackson Braun and Midsomer Murders. _____________ Abigail Wentworth is looking forward to her reunion lunch with Alison Fairweather. They are old schoolfriends who met twice a year, usually for Alison to dish the dirt on the others they had known when they were younger - and for Abigail to gloat over their 'inferior' circumstances, in comparison to her own respectable existence. During one such lunch, though, Abigail recognizes a face from the past - and from that moment onward, her life skids completely out of control... _____________ Praise for Andrea Frazer's quirky and compelling crime novels: ***** 'Loved it... very well written... would recommend for all ages!' Reader Review ***** 'Love all the Falconer File books... fun to read and very entertaining!' Reader Review ***** 'Great short story. I would recommend to all mystery lovers' Reader Review ***** 'Great read, love all of this series' Reader Review

Outbreak!

Outbreak! PDF Author: Hilary Evans
Publisher: Anomalist Books, LLC
ISBN: 1933665254
Category : Psychology
Languages : en
Pages : 785

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Book Description
From fads, crazes, and manias to collective delusions, scares, panics, and mass hysterias, history is replete with examples of remarkable social behavior. Many are fueled by fear and uncertainty; others are driven by hope and expectation. For others still, the causes are more obscure. This massive collection of extraordinary social behaviors spans more than two millennia, and attempts to place many of the episodes within their greater historical and cultural context. Perhaps the most well known example of unusual collective behavior occurred in 1938, when a million or more Americans were frightened or panicked after listening to a realistic radio drama about a Martian invasion of New Jersey, based on an adaptation of the H.G. Wells novel "War of the Worlds." Less known but equally remarkable scares based on Wells' book occurred in Chile in 1944 (when Army units were mobilized), in Ecuador in 1949 (when riots broke out, leaving more than a dozen dead), as well as in Buffalo in 1968, Rhode Island in 1974, and Europe in 1988 and 1998. The modern civilized world is by no means immune to such peculiar episodes. In the late 20th century, scores of people in the U.S. and Europe were wrongly incarcerated following claims of Satanic ritual abuse by authorities untutored in False Memory Syndrome. This episode recalls the European witch terror of the late Middle Ages, when innocent people were tortured and executed for consorting with the Devil based on the flimsiest of evidence. OUTBREAK! THE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF EXTRAORDINARY SOCIAL BEHAVIOR is an authoritative reference on a broad range of topics: collective behavior, deviance, social and perceptual psychology, sociology, history, folklore, religious studies, political science, social anthropology, gender studies, critical thinking, and mental health. Never before have so many sources been brought together on the mesmerizing topic of collective behavior.

Toxic Gossip

Toxic Gossip PDF Author: Andrea Frazer
Publisher: Headline Accent
ISBN: 1783754990
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 32

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Book Description
The fourth instalment in an occasional series of short stories covering the elapsed time between the books in The Falconer Files series. An insanely gripping village detective series with a delightful slice of humour. Perfect for fans of Agatha Christie, Lillian Jackson Braun and Midsomer Murders. _____________ A Falconer short story in a more sombre mood. DI Falconer becomes involved in a gossip-fuelled hate crime, only to find himself questioning his own judgement when it comes to protecting Miriam Darling from her anonymous persecutors... _____________ Praise for Andrea Frazer's quirky and compelling crime novels: ***** 'I enjoy everything Andrea Frazer writes. The series of Falconer Files is very entertaining and I would recommend it to mystery buffs' Reader Review ***** '...if anyone likes Agatha Christie with a modern twist, an ongoing story in each book and great touches of humour amongst the murders this is the type of book you will enjoy' Reader Review ***** 'What a powerful way to show how gossip destroys people. I would recommend this to all readers. This book has a good message to share' Reader Review ***** 'Good plot, captivating character, always with a twist!' Reader Review

Grave Stones

Grave Stones PDF Author: Andrea Frazer
Publisher: Headline Accent
ISBN: 1783751479
Category : Humor
Languages : en
Pages : 137

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Book Description
`A mischievously entertaining crime novel' SIMON BRETT The eleventh instalment in The Falconer Files, Andrea Frazer's insanely gripping village detective series with a delightful slice of humour. Perfect for fans of Agatha Christie, Lillian Jackson Braun and Midsomer Murders. READER'S CAN'T GET ENOUGH OF ANDREA'S QUIRKY CRIME NOVELS! ***** 'Love this author and will definitely be reading more of her books' Author Review ***** 'Andrea Frazer's imagination is wonderful... her mysteries are populated by great, quirky characters and good humour' Author Review ***** 'Andrea Frazer never fails to supply a good read with a suspenseful plot' Author Review ***** 'I love all of Andrea Frazer books. Funny but a good mystery too' Author Review ___________ The morning after the party, the extent of the brooding resentment felt in the small community is revealed when an elderly woman is found dead outside her house, the contents of her safe having disappeared along with her attacker. When Detective Inspector Harry Falconer, Detective Sergeant Carmichael, and Detective Constable Roberts arrive on the scene, they learn that the late Lettice Keighley-Armstrong's safe had recently held a large quantity of very valuable pieces of jewellery?? As the investigation progresses, with efforts made to find out just who might have been tempted enough to commit such a crime, the violence escalates... making it urgent that the offender is quickly apprehended.

Love Me to Death

Love Me to Death PDF Author: Andrea Frazer
Publisher: Headline Accent
ISBN: 1783755016
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 31

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Book Description
The first instalment in an occasional series of short stories covering the elapsed time between the books in The Falconer Files series. An insanely gripping village detective series with a delightful slice of humour. Perfect for fans of Agatha Christie, Lillian Jackson Braun and Midsomer Murders. _____________ On Christmas Day the two detectives are summoned to a block of apartments in Market Darley, to investigate the unexplained death of a young woman whose fiancé was due to move in with her on New Year's Day. At first, her death seems a complete mystery, then, something that Dr Christmas discovers on the internet indicates that her death could just have been a tragic accident, or was it? _____________ Praise for Andrea Frazer's quirky and compelling crime novels: ***** 'How does she do it - come up with these wonderful plots?... Well done, Andrea Frazer, yet again. Keep your wonderful books coming, please' Reader Review ***** '...a good read... Ms Frazer has a pleasant style of writing and her characters are well drawn' Reader Review ***** 'This short story is just as good as her longer books... a great read' Reader Review ***** 'Yet another great read from Andrea Frazer - looking forward to the next' Reader Review

Strict and Peculiar

Strict and Peculiar PDF Author: Andrea Frazer
Publisher: Headline Accent
ISBN: 1783751517
Category : Humor
Languages : en
Pages : 134

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Book Description
`A mischievously entertaining crime novel' SIMON BRETT The seventh instalment in The Falconer Files, Andrea Frazer's insanely gripping village detective series with a delightful slice of humour. Perfect for fans of Agatha Christie, Lillian Jackson Braun and Midsomer Murders. READER'S CAN'T GET ENOUGH OF ANDREA'S QUIRKY CRIME NOVELS! ***** 'Excellent storyline once again. The plot kept you guessing and the humour remained which kept me smiling. Would recommend this whole series' Reader Review ***** 'These books are amazing. I have read them all, the characters are so true to life if you like a murder thriller & slight humour you will love this author' Reader Review ***** 'Fun and clever....Perfect series with tie-ins to previous books. She keeps writing, I'll keep reading! Time to visit some of these charming settings...' Reader Review ***** 'All of the Falconer series are well worth your time and money. Well written with credible plots and entertaining characters' Reader Review ___________ In the village of Steynham St Michael, the old Strict and Particular Chapel is, at last, undergoing renovation, to the delight of the local inhabitants, who believe it will prove useful as a tourist attraction for the village. The renovations, however, have been dogged by the sightings of mysterious hooded figures, and tributes of flowers, left here and there on the site. The newly painted interior is then found defaced by a mysterious message in red paint, and this last prompts a call to the police. DI Falconer and DS Carmichael of the Market Darley CID make an initial visit, and believe that the unexplained events at the Chapel may be the work of a small cult, believed to originate from the college in Market Darley. When a new DC, on secondment, arrives, Falconer immediately sends him undercover as a student, spending his own time trying to lay his hands on a local drug dealer. Then, a body is found on the stone altar table in the Chapel, and events begin to spiral out of control...

Christmas Mourning

Christmas Mourning PDF Author: Andrea Frazer
Publisher: Headline Accent
ISBN: 1783751495
Category : Humor
Languages : en
Pages : 128

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Book Description
CHRISTMAS MOURNING is the eighth instalment of Andrea Frazer's Falconer Files, a detective series chock-full of picture-postcard villages, dastardly deeds, and a delightful slice of humour. Praise for Andrea Frazer's twisty and compelling crime novels: ***** 'The best laugh I have had for a long time. Great story very well written' Reader Review ***** 'I loved the book. A good British mystery. Characters are great. All mystery lovers would enjoy this' Reader Review ***** 'I have read all of the Falconer Files and they are all excellent. Well written with lovable and quirky characters' Reader Review ***** 'Andrea Frazer's Falconer files are outstanding long may she continue to write them they are like a breath of fresh air' Reader Review ***** 'Once again, another gripping story in a perfect village... a lot of twists and turns and wonderful descriptions so that one feels actually "there" amongst it all' Reader Review ***** 'Discovered this series of books and can't get enough of them. Characters very appealing and loads of humour. Just what I like best' Reader Review _________ The UK is experiencing its worst winter for years. Catastrophic news for DI Harry Falconer, as he has rashly promised to spend Christmas with his sergeant, Carmichael, and Carmichael's rambunctious family, in Castle Farthing - only to find himself snowed in and in and spending a lot longer at chez Carmichael than is desirable... Without power or telephones, and Castle Farthing cut off from the outside world until further notice, Christmas Day greets them... with a murder in St Cuthbert's Church, where the locum vicar has discovered, to his horror, one of Castle Farthing's residents nailed to a gigantic cross. Falconer and Carmichael are left to dig their way out of Carmichael's cottage to investigate the terrible crime, with none of the technology and support normally available to them. As if this is not enough to cope with, Carmichael has agreed to look after a huge Great Dane over the festivities, Kerry Carmichael is just about to give birth - and death is still stalking the snowed-in community, intent on claiming at least one more victim...

Death in High Circles

Death in High Circles PDF Author: Andrea Frazer
Publisher: Headline Accent
ISBN: 178375124X
Category : Humor
Languages : en
Pages : 121

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Book Description
`A mischievously entertaining crime novel' SIMON BRETT The tenth instalment in The Falconer Files, Andrea Frazer's insanely gripping village detective series with a delightful slice of humour. Perfect for fans of Agatha Christie, Lillian Jackson Braun and Midsomer Murders. READER'S CAN'T GET ENOUGH OF ANDREA'S QUIRKY CRIME NOVELS! ***** 'Love this author and will definitely be reading more of her books' Author Review ***** 'Andrea Frazer's imagination is wonderful... her mysteries are populated by great, quirky characters and good humour' Author Review ***** 'Andrea Frazer never fails to supply a good read with a suspenseful plot' Author Review ***** 'I love all of Andrea Frazer books. Funny but a good mystery too' Author Review ___________ There is mischief afoot in the village of Fallow Fold. Persons unknown have been on a spree of vandalism, scratching cars, smashing colourful pots of flowers in full bloom, breaking greenhouse windows and defiling a front door with a racist word, written in spray paint. The police are called, and given the unavailability of more junior personnel DI Harry Falconer and DS Davey Carmichael arrive to investigate, but there are no obvious suspects. Then a resident is attacked as he keeps a nocturnal vigil, hoping to catch whoever is responsible for the vandalism. Soon, there is a surfeit of uncharacteristic behaviour from those who live there, and Falconer begins to suspect that there is more to come. When the man who runs the local bridge circle disappears, there is a palpable whiff of evil in the air which leads to a murderous attack on one of the police officers. This is a time when DI Falconer is forced to search his soul to discover what, and who, is really important in his life, and what really matters in it.