Guide to Opera
Here you will find an overview of opera resources at the State Library with search tips.
The Collection
Scores for Loan
Opera is well-covered by State Library resources. A comprehensive collection of scores contains different editions of the standard repertoire in multiple translations, mainly in piano-vocal arrangement. The collection is supplemented by anthologies of arias by specific composers, or for specific voice type, and an extensive sheet music collection. You will find more information about a wider range of vocal resources at Voice.
Reference Material
The reference collection of books, journals and electronic resources is also comprehensive. We have encyclopedias, dictionaries, guides, discographies, histories, synopses and information on all the great opera composers and their operas such as Mozart, Puccini, Verdi and Wagner. Operetta is covered, with the collection including an extensive collection of books on Gilbert & Sullivan. Information on the great opera houses of the world can be found by keywording the name of the theatre.
Recordings
We hold a collection of CDs, LPs, DVDs and videos that can be used on-site, and the standard operatic repertoire has been collected. You can also listen to tracks using the on-line database Naxos Music Library. There is a small classical loan collection of audio cassettes available.
Searching for a score
Scores of operas can be found by using our catalogue and searching by composer. You may search by title, but you may not find all copies of the work if you only use one translation of the title, such as The Magic flute instead of Die Zauberflöte. Use our Guide to Searching for Classical Music scores as a starting point. Individual arias can be found using the Song Index, and a guide to searching for songs and arias can be downloaded. All opera scores can be found on the shelves at the classification CC. Operettas can be found at CF.
You may also search by subject. Useful subject searches are:
- Operas
- Operas -- Vocal scores with piano
- Operas -- Excerpts
- Operas -- Excerpts, Arranged
- Operas -- Excerpts – Vocal scores with piano
- Operas -- Juvenile – Vocal scores with piano
Searching for information
The book and journal material can be found using the catalogue. If you are looking for a specific title, use the author or title search. If you are looking for material on a subject, use the keyword or subject option. Useful subject and keyword searches are:
- Opera
- Opera companies
- Opera production and direction
- Operas – Analysis, appreciation
- Operas – Librettos
- Operas – Stories, plots, etc.
- (Composer’s name) - Operas
Further information on this site
Page last updated: Wednesday 20 April 2011