For anyone who has been intimidated, overwhelmed, or just plain confused by what they think opera is, Who’s Afraid of Opera? offers a lively, readable guide to what author Michael Walsh describes as “the greatest art form yet invented by humankind.”

From opera’s origins in Renaissance Italy to the Who’s rock odyssey “Tommy,” and Stephen Sondheim’s “Into the Woods,” Walsh explores what opera is and what it’s not, what makes a great singer, and why it takes Tristan so long to die.

So, curtains up! It’s time to settle into your seat, close up your program, and watch the house lights go down. Get ready for the musical ride of your life.