Leyla Gencer: A story of passion. Edited by Aykut Sengözer.

Original bdg. Dust wrapper. 4to. (27 x 21 cm). In English. 303 p. B/w and color ills. A biographical study on Turkish operatic soprano Leyla Gencer (1928-2008); Known as "La Diva Turca" (The Turkish Diva) and "La Regina" (The Queen) in the opera world,[citation needed] Gencer was a notable bel canto soprano who spent most of her career in Italy, from the early 1950s through the mid-1980s, and had a repertoire encompassing more than seventy roles. She made very few commercial recordings; however, numerous bootleg recordings of her performances exist. In particular, Gencer was associated with the heroines of Donizetti. "IKSV presents the new English version of the Leyla Gencer biography in memory of the great artist who passed away passed last year. Authored by Zeynep Oral, Leyla Gencer-A Story of Passion has kept on luring readers immensely since its first release which resulted in 10 succesive prints in Turkey. Now the English version of the book is ready to appear in the art-lover's collection with its brand new photography and exquisite design. After four years of thorough and passionate research, the biography was first released in Turkish by 1992. Based on Zeynep Oral's conversations with Leyla Gencer and her countless acquaintances from the art scene, the book employs an ingenious, fluid, heart-whole language. With a largely chronological and fragmented storyline, this is a patchworked portrait of the artist in 100 pieces. Taking the reader back to the life and times of Leyla Gencer who made history as the true diva of the 20. century, the book evolves around her overwhelming passion "to sing" and presents how a magnificient universe is shaped by this passion. Designed by Esen Karol, the English version of the book features photographs unpublished to date and a detailed index.".