Book excerpt: Although books have been written about various opera houses throughout the world, no one work has covered more than a relatively small number of the larger, well known companies and houses, and none have made more than brief mention of the smaller houses. No book has comprehensively listed opera repertories. Little, in sum, has been written about any of the smaller companies and houses located in non-English-speaking countries. This is the most comprehensive reference book ever written on opera companies and houses in Western Europe, Canada, Australia and New Zealand--over 300, from the well known to the smaller. Each entry includes a history of the opera house or company, the works (title and composer) and type of productions offered, company staff, world and country premieres, repertory, and practical information on the theater's address, nearby hotel accommodations and how to order tickets. Most entries conclude with a bibliography.