LibGuides: Vocal Music (Solo): Texts

Jump to: Opera Libretti | Song texts

Opera Libretti

Online Resources

Albert Schatz Libretti, Library of Congress
Over 12,000 libretti collected by Albert Schatz. Mainly Italian, German, and French editions from the 17th and 18th centuries.
Aria Database
Translations of and information about over 1,000 arias. Many entries include sound files for listening.
Digital Scores and Libretti (Harvard)
Rare or unique manuscripts, first editions, and early editions from the 17th to the early 20th century.

IPA Source This link opens in a new window
The web's largest library of International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) transcriptions and literal translations of opera arias and art song texts. It currently includes over 15,000 texts.

Libretti (Internet Archive)
A library of digital materials including librettos, audio and video recordings, and more.

Libretti in the Allen Library

Finding a libretto in the catalog is pretty straightforward. Your search should typically include:

Title of the work
Composer or librettist's last name
The word "libretto"

Stand-alone librettos are marked as "books" in the catalog and have call numbers between ML47 and ML54.
But librettos can also be found inside scores and recordings.

Watch the video below for a demonstration of how to find both types, or ask a librarian for help!

Looking for a translation or IPA transcription? Try our guide to Vocal Music Translations.
Many resources listed there include the texts in their original language, plus translation and/or IPA transcription.

Song Texts

Online Resources

IPA Source This link opens in a new window
The web's largest library of International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) transcriptions and literal translations of opera arias and art song texts. It currently includes over 15,000 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.

Books in the Allen Library

Most books of song texts have a call number starting with ML54.6.
Most are in the Allen Library reference section, though some are in the regular shelves too.

To see all our books of song texts, search the catalog for the subject Songs > Texts.

To find a specific text, start with our guide to Vocal Music Translations, since most of those resources include the text in its original language.
If you can't find the text in one of those resources, ask a librarian for help!

Suggest a Resource

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).