Great Operating Disasters

Author: Hugh Vickers

Publisher: Macmillan

Edition & Year: First Edition, 1979

Binding: Hardcover

Pages: 77

Size: 5.5 in × 9 in

Great Operating Disasters by Hugh Vickers is an entertaining and insightful exploration of the unpredictable world of opera and stage performance. Published in 1979 by Macmillan, this 77-page hardcover (5.5 × 9 inches) offers a collection of anecdotes highlighting memorable mishaps and unexpected moments in theatrical history.

The book delves into a series of real-life incidents from the world of opera—ranging from on-stage accidents and technical failures to humorous misunderstandings and dramatic interruptions. These stories reveal the challenges and unpredictability of live performance, where anything can happen despite careful planning and rehearsal.

Written in an engaging and often humorous tone, the book captures the human side of performers and productions, showing how artists cope with pressure, improvisation, and unexpected situations. It provides a behind-the-scenes look at the world of opera, making it both informative and entertaining.

A key strength of this work is its ability to combine historical insight with lighthearted storytelling. Readers gain an appreciation for the complexity of staging opera while enjoying the amusing and sometimes dramatic incidents that have occurred over time.

The compact hardcover format (5.5 × 9 inches) makes it an easy and enjoyable read, while also adding to its charm as a collectible item. Despite its shorter length, the book offers a rich and engaging glimpse into a specialized aspect of performing arts history.

Great Operating Disasters is ideal for readers interested in opera, theatre, and cultural anecdotes, offering a delightful mix of history and humor.

• Author: Hugh Vickers
• Publisher: Macmillan, First Edition (1979)
• Format: Hardcover, 77 pages
• Size: 5.5 × 9 inches – compact format
• Content: Anecdotes from opera and theatre mishaps
• Themes: Performance, unpredictability, humor, history
• Style: Engaging, lighthearted, and informative
• Focus: Behind-the-scenes stories of live performance
• Audience: Opera lovers, theatre enthusiasts, general readers
• Collector Appeal: Niche performing arts collectible

🔹 Collector’s Note

This 1979 first-edition hardcover of Great Operating Disasters is a unique and charming work within performing arts literature. Its unusual subject, engaging storytelling, and collectible format make it a valuable addition for collectors of theatre, opera, and cultural history books.