"A vigorous case for the humble opera libretto as poetic drama . Smart, lively." --Kirkus Reviews "Looking at opera from the standpoint of its texts, as only a gifted poet and librettist can do, Dana Gioia examines why a surprisingly small number of operas have attained a secure place in the repertory. His insight into the workings of this uniquely lyrical fusion of the arts makes Weep, Shudder, Die not only a definitive assessment of the importance of poetry to the operatic undertaking, but a gift to opera lovers everywhere. Read.Reflect.Delight!" --Ted Libbey, author of The NPR Listener''s Encyclopedia of Classical Music " Weep, Shudder, Die should be read by anyone who enjoys opera, or who cares about its place in today''s world. Dana Gioia explores, with imagination and insight, the relationship between the libretto and the music.

I learned a great deal in reading it, and at the same time enjoyed the experience immensely." --Henry Fogel, Former President, Chicago Symphony Orchestra and League of American Orchestras "Gioia''s knowledge of opera is comprehensive. He exhibits thorough familiarity and understanding of the Puccini, Verdi, and Mozart standards, as well as rarely performed contemporary works and a great deal more . It is difficult to imagine an opera lover who would not enjoy this book. There were many points at which I said to myself, ''Ah. I never thought about it that way, but I see what he means.'' . Five stars: A book about opera to enjoy and to learn from.

" -- Fanfare "Dana Gioia has done as much as any living poet in the last half century to restore music and drama to the increasingly tuneless and predictable realm of American verse. Now, with Weep, Shudder, Die , the fruit of a lifelong love affair with opera, he restores poetry and drama to their rightful place in the realm of classical music. Gioia argues that ''in opera the words come first,'' but that the real gift of the medium--to poet, composer, performers, and audience--is the opportunity to collaborate in the creation and experience of a uniquely stirring work of art, a meeting of Muses like no other. This brief book is itself a showcase of critical acuity and stylistic flare, which, like the best librettos, will leave you humming long after the performance is complete." --Boris Dralyuk, author of My Hollywood and Other Poems PRAISE FOR DANA GIOIA''S OTHER BOOKS: "Highly enjoyable . Studyingwith Miss Bishop offers the opportunity to encounter writing as an actof civility." Wall Street Journal "[A] fantastically charming collection." Los Angeles Review of Books on Studying with MissBishop "Fascinating snapshots of remarkable encounters which,when brought together, chart a delightfully unusual path to literarysuccess.

" Booklist on Studying with Miss Bishop "With perfect tonal and formal control, the poet''s voiceseems to emanate from somewhere between author and reader, between dream andmemory." The New Criterion on Meet Me at the Lighthouse "An important book, and anyone who professes to care aboutthe state of American poetry will have to take it into account." WorldLiterature Today on Can Poetry Matter? "Vibrant and inviting." TheWashington Post on 99 Poems:New & Selected "Greatriches in remarkably few pages." Booklist,Starred Review on Pity the Beautiful: Poems.