Operas in English have a long, rich, and varied history encompassing everything from the English masques of the 17th century to today's crossover music dramas such as Harvey Milk and Rent. This book covers in detail more than 3,500 English-texted operas by composers including Purcell, Handel, Britten, Bernstein, and Musgrave. Most were born in English-speaking countries, but the list also includes such composers as Weill (his American stage works) and Henze (his operas with dual English-German texts). The work provides specific information not accessible in the usual sources, such as premiere details, plots, characters, and casts.

The work begins with an historical overview. Many entries include scores, librettos, bibliographies, and discographies. Cross-references four appendixes (composers, librettists, authors and sources, and a chronology), and three indexes (characters, performers, and general) make this an exceptionally useful reference tool.