author
George P. (George Putnam) Upton
1834–1919
A longtime Chicago journalist and influential music critic, he helped everyday readers make sense of opera, oratorio, and other classical works through clear, approachable books. His writing opened the door to music appreciation while also reflecting a wide career in journalism and translation.
5 Audiobooks
The Standard Operas: Their Plots, Their Music, and Their Composers (12th edition)
by George P. (George Putnam) Upton
The Standard Oratorios: Their Stories, Their Music, And Their Composers
by George P. (George Putnam) Upton
Letters of Peregrine Pickle
by George P. (George Putnam) Upton
The Standard Light Operas, Their Plots and Their Music
by George P. (George Putnam) Upton
The Standard Cantatas: Their Stories, Their Music, and Their Composers A Handbook
by George P. (George Putnam) Upton
About the author
Born in Roxbury, Massachusetts, on October 25, 1834, he graduated from Brown University in 1854 and soon built his career in Chicago journalism. He worked for several newspapers and became closely associated with the Chicago Tribune, where he served as a music critic and later as a senior editor.
Upton is especially remembered for writing accessible books about classical music, including guides to operas, oratorios, and composers that were meant for general readers rather than specialists. He also translated German works into English, adding to his reputation as a literary and musical interpreter.
He died in Chicago on May 19, 1919. Today, he is best known as a writer who helped bring serious music within reach of a broader public, explaining it in a way that was informed, practical, and easy to enjoy.