Ancient Greek Athletics

What was it like at the opening night of Mozart'sDon Giovanni orWagner'sDas Rheingold?This glittering introduction to the world of opera takes us behind the scenes during premiere performances of five extraordinary operas. "A rare and wonderful cultural history."Philip Kennicott,Washington Post "An absorbing tangle of minutiae about performing circumstances, personalities, conventions, expectations, critical responses, gossip. . . . This book is readable. Addictively."Michael White,Opera Now "This thoroughly enjoyable and informative book will delight all opera lovers; highly recommended."Library Journal

Stephen G. Miller is professor emeritus of classical archaeology at the University of California, Berkeley. For 33 years he directed the excavations at Nemea in Greece, one of the major sites of ancient games. He is the author of many books, including Arete: Greek Sports from Ancient Sources.