Since its invention, opera has conquered the entire world. Favola per Musica was the name of this new art four hundred years ago. A story or an event depicted through music. This art of representation through music must be learned and mastered, says Michael Hampe, who has directed worldwide for decades and has also led major opera houses and festivals. The opera school, with more than a hundred techniques and rules, demonstrates how opera works and how stories can be brought to life through music. Entertainingly written in an essayistic style and enriched with numerous anecdotes from a creative life, Michael Hampe's artistic testament is a must-read for all opera makers, singers, conductors, and directors, as well as for the interested opera audience and, not least, for opera detractors, to win them over.