Ruth’s publishing high note

WN subscriber Ruth Breckman has combined her passions for travel and opera in her first book Selected Opera Houses for Everyone Around the World, which has recently been published by Athena Press.

Ruth spent twenty years working in the travel industry and took up writing when she retired.

‘My love of opera came late in life and it gave me the inspiration to write my first book.

‘The book is a travel companion to encourage tourists to visit these magnificent buildings with history, architecture, wonderful paintings, fascinating tours and backstage stories of the artistic productions. Many activities take place in each venue, such as tea dancing and free jazz concerts at the Royal Opera House.’

Despite having researched various opera houses around the world, Ruth’s venue of choice is close to home.

‘My favourite is the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden, because it is accessible for me to visit regularly. However, every opera house is unique and very special.’

Ruth hopes to continue her travel and research with a follow-up opera houses book planned for the future.

Details: Selected Opera Houses for Everyone Around the World is available at £9.99 from Athena Press, Queen’s House, 2 Holly Road, Twickenham, Middlesex TW1 4EG; tel: 0208 744 0990; website: www.athenapress.com