Rasponi gives us opinions, which are always good to have ESPECIALLY in the opera world. Behind those opinions he gives facts - many of which need to be supplemented by various readings which can confirm or deny his information. (Some things come to mind readily: that Lily Pons is represented here as being born in 1904 although many years ago that was disproven, the fact that contrary to what Toti dal Monte says the role of Elvira in Bellini's I PURITANI has absolutely no written top E-flats, and the absence of many singers' birthdates). If this book were to be republished, hopefully some savvy editor would supply generous footnoting to give the reader several perspectives on the material (including the objective truth).

Objectivity is mostly thrown to the winds when dealing with these ladies. Rasponi is often gallant with them, allowing them to state their opinions and deliver the grand arias which their lives actually were / are. (This gallant quality marks his often passe views on some of the singers from this period, which can be disproven by close listening. Hearing Margherita Carosio on an old live recording of SONNAMBULA proved her to be shrill and unrelenting; Bidu Sayao also sounds shrill on old live Met recordings although her voice might have carried well in the house; and Lily Pons, THE overrated French light soprano, sounds better on her old French recordings from the late 1920s than on the more famous American recordings of the '30s-'40s.)

Still this book is an amazing investment, even if one must be a devout opera follower to really appreciate the depths and dedication of Rasponi's writings.

Lanfranco Rasponi in his book, The Last Prima Donnas, compiles a series of interviews spanning fifty years with some of the most legendary divas to grace the operatic stage. This book is easily the most comprehensive, engaging, and just downright fascinating piece of work concerning opera out there. Such grand old dames as Eva Turner, Lily Pons and even Maria Callas expound intelligently and lucidly upon their careers and colleagues, the past, present and future of opera and many other subjects concerning their art and lives. It's an absolute must-read for anyone who's ever been enchanted by the sounds of opera, for it is the story of opera told through the eyes of some of its greatest and most colorful interpreters