Boydell & Brewer

The book is beautifully produced, with lots of good illustrations and musical examples [...] In a sense it is a monument, not just to one scholar, but to a whole generation in which some of... — Music and Letters More…

Offers informed, trenchant assessments of important Met stagings. . . . Especially insightful about the work of regional companies. . . . Martin's effort combines a critic's eye, a scholar's... — Opera News More…

This totally absorbing account, fluently narrated and minutely documented with the help of the prolific letter-writing Wesleys, guarantees a sympathetic hearing for the troubled Samuel. It deserves... — Musical Times More…

The reader is treated to a wide-ranging discussion that is stylishly written and invitingly presented — Musical Times More…

This marvellous book is very readable with many anecdotes and witty asides, much like Beecham himself. [...] Lucas's formidable amount of research is impressive [...] Reprinted in paperback... — Stringendo More…

As someone who has been puzzling over what this work 'means' for some 50 years, I learnt a lot from this book and shall be returning to it regularly. -- Roger Nichols — BBC Music Magazine More…

This wonderful new anthology...contains far too many artistic riches and provokes far too many thoughts to be absorbed in one, two or even three readings. 5 star — BBC Music Magazine More…