LibGuides: Vocal Music Translations: General Resources

Online Resources

Aria Database
Translations for arias, as well as range, tessitura, setting, synopsis, and more. The website also includes information on opera performances, competitions, and more.

IPA Source This link opens in a new window
International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) transcriptions and literal translations of opera arias and art song texts. Currently includes over 12,000 texts.

The LiederNet Archive
Over 36,000 translations of Lieder, art songs, choral works, and more. Search by composer, poet, first line, title, or year.
Oxford International Song Festival
Texts and translations of over 4,000 songs. Many also include videos, IPA transcriptions, or other helpful information.

An Interpretive Guide to Operatic Arias by Martial Singher
Call Number: ML102 O6 A5 [Allen shelves]
Publication Date: 2003
Texts and translations for over 150 famous arias, plus dramatic and musical context and interpretation advice.
The Ring of Words by Philip L. Miller
Call Number: ML54.6 M64 N [Allen shelves]
Publication Date: 1973
Lyrics and line-by-line translations of European art songs by over 200 composers, with critical evaluations of each song.
Translations and Annotations of Choral Repertoire by Ron Jeffers
Call Number: ML53.8 J44 T73 v.1-4 [Allen reference]
Publication Date: 1988
Latin, German, French, Italian, and Hebrew choral texts. Includes Hebrew pronunciation CD.
Word-by-Word Translations of Songs and Arias by Berton Coffin, Werner Singer, and Pierre Delattre
Call Number: ML54.6 W92 v.1-2 [Allen reference]
Publication Date: 1972
Word-by-word translations of German, French, and Italian songs and arias.

Check out the language-specific resources in this guide.

IPA: International Phonetic Alphabet (notation of spoken language sounds)

Art Song Central
Public domain sheet music. Auto-generated IPA transcriptions are available for German, French, Italian, and Latin songs.
IPA Chart with Sounds
The full chart of IPA symbols. Click a symbol to hear an example of the sound it represents.

IPA Source This link opens in a new window
IPA transcriptions and literal translations of opera arias and art song texts. Currently includes over 12,000 texts.

Oxford International Song Festival
Texts and translations of over 4,000 songs. Many also include videos, IPA transcriptions, or other helpful information.

International Phonetic Alphabet for Singers by Joan Wall
Call Number: MT883 W36 I58 [Allen shelves & reference]
Publication Date: 1989
A manual to compare and contrast sounds, read and write IPA transcriptions, sing examples, and more.
Nico Castel transcriptions (multiple volumes)
Call Number: ML48-ML49 [Allen reference]
IPA transcriptions and English translations of many operas and songs.
Looking for a specific volume? See our pages for Specific Languages and Specific Composers.
Phonetic Readings of Songs and Arias by Berton Coffin et al.
Call Number: MT883 C67 [Allen reference]
Publication Date: 1964
Texts for over 400 songs in Italian, German, and French, with IPA transcriptions.

Browse by subject in the catalog, for example:
French language > Phonetics (Substitute a different language in your search, as needed.)
Phonetic alphabet
Singing > Diction

Browse the shelves by call number:

Call Number	Topic
ML48 - ML49	Nico Castel transcriptions (Reference shelves)
MT883	Singing pronunciation & diction

Know of a resource you think should be added to this guide? Let us know!

Want to suggest we purchase something new? Contact Tracey Rudnick (rudnick@hartford.edu).