This guide has articles which describe the genesis of the opera, its initial failure at its premiere and the various versions in which it went on to conquer the opera stages of Europe and the USA. There are also articles which analyse its appeal, which explore its music and which detail its extensive performance history. The guide has sixteen pages of illustrations, a musical thematic guide, the full libretto and English translation (in both the dialogue and recitative versions), a discography, bibliography, DVD and website guides.