This new edition of a six volume reference (originally edited by eminent musicologist, Nicolas Slonimsky, who died in 1995) contains an additional 2,000 plus entries on popular, jazz, country, and rock musicians, as well as 20th century classical musicians not previously covered. The genre index shows inclusion of early music, renaissance, baroque, classical, romantic, modern, early jazz, bebop, swing, country, pop, rock, avant-garde, revivalist, and r&b/rap. Entries on composers contain the titles of major compositions (operas, ballets, symphonic works) together with dates of first performance. Those on musicologists list most of their published books in various languages, and some of their significant articles in the musical press. As for performers, their most signal accomplishments are brought out, with dates of their European and American debuts. A similar service is done for outstanding music teachers, with a list of their educational positions. Although this is technically a dictionary of musicians, many other individuals connected with music are included (librettists, publishers, impresarios, etc.). Introductions to this and previous editions are found in Volume I. Among other items of interest, they reveal the challenges of separating fact from fiction and lore in collecting biographical data.