Matthew Boyden

Background

Matthew Boyden was born in 1956 in Cornwall, United Kingdom.

Career

Before turning to the life of a writer, Matthew previously worked as a record producer. In 1997 he served as a principal writer on the collaborative volume Opera: The Rough Guide, which Robert Wick, writing in the American Reference Book Annual, described as “an attempt to provide a complete guide to world opera.” This reference source, arranged chronologically by the composer, provides biographies and includes plot synopses and recommended recordings of operas cited within the biographical entries. Besides, the book features an overview of the development of opera as a prominent genre within the field of classical music. A Reviewer in Booklist described the book as “clearly written.” and Times Literary Supplement reviewer found Opera: The Rough Guide “quite unpatronizing.”

Boyden wrote another book titled Richard Strauss which was a biography of the composer whose works include several operas - including Salome, Elektra, and Der Rosenkavalier - are often ranked among the greatest in the genre. A Publishers Weekly reviewer affirmed that Boyden “has worked particularly hard in his cultural context.” Larry A. Lipkis wrote in Library Journal that Boyden’s Richard Strauss constituted “a remarkably clear-eyed and intelligent assessment.” An Economist reviewer commented that the book includes “insights into the music” and stated they are waiting for more of his works.

Matthew was an editor of CD Review before the journal got discontinued.

Achievements

• Matthew's works came to recognition after he published Opera: The Rough Guide. Although critics took it as a bold and unusual move, the book was widely accepted and praised for its details and emotions.

Works

More photos

• book

  • Classical Music on CD: The Rough Guide

    (Lists more than 400 composers, providing a biographical p...)

    1998
  • The Rough Guide to Opera 1997

References

• Contemporary Authors New Revision Series: A Bio-Bibliographical Guide to Current Writers in Fiction, General Non-Fiction, Poetry, Journalism, Drama, Motion Pictures, Television, and Other Fields
  2010