"Moran, founder of the Stanford Archive of Recorded Sound and an editor of Amadeus's 'Opera Biography' series, has skillfully edited Glackens's translation....[Blanche Arral's] life reads like fiction and will enjoy a wide audience among opera lovers. Highly recommended."

— Library Journal , September 1, 2002

"Like a romance and adventure novel, but it's nonfiction...The book is a delightful read, whether you're an opera/operetta fan or not. "

— Peter Jacobi, The Hoosier Times , September 8, 2002

"William Moran . . . has superbly edited this memoir of over sixty years ago. . . . [He] is to be complimented on placing into music history a rare and exceedingly entertaining piece of the musical puzzle."

— Phyllis Villec, The California Music Teacher , Winter 2002

"What a life and what a book."

— Willard Manus, Whats Up

"This is a successful and interesting volume. Who needs soap opera?"

— Craig Smith, Pasatiempo , October 11, 2002

"A very good discography [is included]."

— Vicki Kondelik, Opera Japonica , October 1, 2002

"Besides being a good read, this well-translated book is valuable as a practical account of the life of a company regular in the world of Paris' opera comique of the 1880's. . . . The parts of her book concerning her performing in Russia and her adventures in Turkey. . . are hard to equal."

— Choice

"Amadeus Press is to be commended for its classy presentation, including a chronology, an annotated discography, and carefully researched notes and appendices."

— Jonathan Rabb, Opera News