So, I have accumulated a good amount of Opera over the years and have decided to take a systematic approach to listening through it. Some of the stuff has decent libretti and notes included, but I am looking for some additional external sources. I definitely would like a compendium that includes English translations, as I have a lot of Euro releases without any English, but also looking for reviews of performances and what not. Any recommendations of some things I can grab on Amazon?

My goal is to do headphone (audio-only) listen-through and then BluRay / move theater / live and then back to a speaker rig (audio-only, probably) over say the next 3 years.

Sounds like a long term opera-tion.

MetHD never caught on around here, but the on-demand service could be cool when you get to part 2. 

Also http://operamusicbroadcast.com (currently streaming several Living Stereos). 

Opera was at the forefront of internet streaming and in many cases sadly still stuck on RealAudio, etc. 

Using this book as a reference myself: Andras Batta "Opera" although is doesn't contain entire librettos it does give you some insight of the composer, some historical background and so on ... there are many similar 'comprehensive' references like that, I picked it up years ago on a bookstore sale, and use it from time to time ... 

I am really liking the English National Opera Guides!

I am really liking the English National Opera Guides!

Can I ask where you are buying them?

I am cheap: BetterWorldBooks (typically discounted to $3 with free shipping, my wife buys a ton from these guys), EBay or Amazon (used).

Works for me.

I've been using this: http://www.amazon.com/Book-101-Opera-Librettos-Translations/dp/1884822797/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1445808548&sr=8-1&keywords=101+opera+librettos

The ENO guides seem like a nice supplement

You guys might enjoy this from the LOC.

http://www.loc.gov/jukebox/victor-book-of-the-opera

 

I have an extra Madam Butterfly ENO guide - just PM me your address and it's yours.

Was that directed at me or Ironbut?

Whomever

There are two Esoteric Ring sets on YPJ! That started at low bids. Curious to see what he free market values these at.