John Ardoin (1935û2001) was the music critic for _The Dallas Morning News_ for more than 30 years. He died unexpectedly, just after completing his work on this book. He was renowned for his encyclopedic knowledge of opera and singers, particularly Maria Callas, and was the author of _Callas at Juilliard: The Master Classes_ and _The Furtwängler Record _ also published by Amadeus Press. He served, as well, as editor of _Musical America Magazine _ critic for _The Saturday Review _ New York music correspondent for _The Times of London _ and New York critic for _Opera_ magazine.