Contributors to Space Opera were given the theme of music (see what they did there?) on which to base a Science Fiction short story. I suppose anything could be given as a theme and there would be an opportunity to construct an interesting story around it, which begs the question why there were so few successes amongst the selection of offerings that we are given.

Most of the author names were unknown to me, and - on the basis of the works presented here - will stay unfamiliar. I quite liked the Gene Wolfe story, but most of the others were very slight, or contrived, or were fantasy and so disappointed a hard science fiction fan like me. In other words, the title feels like false advertising. One story did stand out: The Last Song of Sirit Byar, a novelette by Peter S. Beagle. This is the one author that I might consider seeking out.

I was asked by a friend if I'd bought this as a new book, and I'm glad that I didn't, because I'd have felt robbed if I'd shelled out good money for this. Very disappointing. ( )

quick read, some intriguing, some so-so, most delghtful and interesting ( )

Contents
* Bluesberry Jam / Gene Wolfe;
* To Drive the Cold Winter Away / Marion Zimmer Bradley;
* The Last Song of Sirit Byar / Peter S. Beagle;
* Roundelay / Mary C. Pangborn;
* Space Station Annie / Cynthia McQuillin;
* Swan Song / Lyn McConchie;
* Heavenside Song / Warren C. Norwood;
* Drift / Steven Brust;
* A Hole in the Sky / Margaret Ball;
* The Impossible Place / Alan Dean Foster;
* Ever After / Paula Lalish;
* Soulfedge Rock / Suzette Haden Elgin;
* Scarborough Fair / Elizabeth Ann Scarborough;
* Thunderbird Road / Leslie Fish;
* Our Father's Gold / Elisabeth Waters;
* A Song of Strange Revenge / Josepha Sherman;
* Songhcild / Robin Wayne Bailey;
* Saskia / Charles de Lint
* Calling Them Home / Jody Lynn Nye;
* Bird in the Hand / Anne McCaffrey.