One aspect I enjoy of the book is that M. Chuilon doesn't spend needless time about his parents and childhood. He gets right into the career with only the necessary information about the early years. He also does something no other biographer of great singers does in that he gives us conflicting contemporary reviews and works to find a common thread. Quite outstanding and gives far more of the artist than simply copying reviews, whether they be accurate or not.



Finally! A biography in English (ok, translated) about the greatest baritone who lived into the recording era.



In addition, M. Chuilon adds subchapters about Battistini's recording sessions during the years in question and discusses the recordings in clear, analytical detail. I know and enjoy Battistini's recordings but his notes made me go back and re-evaluate some.



Another plus of this book is a CD included with it. The remasterings - also by the author - are excellent plus he offers readers access to his website that offer fifty arias by Battistini for download. I regret to say that I haven't had the time to explore this but if the downloads are the same quality as the book and CD, they are excellent.



I Also Recommend: Tito Gobbi on His World of Italian Opera, Fernando de Lucia.