Guides: Opera Workshop: Books in the Academic Library

Books

Opera

Master Singers: Advice from the Stage by Donald George; Lucy Mauro
Call Number: ML3795 .G46 2015
Publication Date: 2015
This book is made up of questions posed by the authors that famous singers respond to by giving their points of view and advice. Some of the singers include Lisette Oropesa, Lawrence Brownlee, Joyce DiDonato, Christine Goerke, and Jonas Kaufmann.
Singer and Actor: Acting Technique and the Operatic Performer by Alan E. Hicks
Call Number: ACTING TECHNIQUE HICKS.A
Publication Date: 2011
This is a good book for the young singing actor to practice with. It comprises essays and exercises to help one understand and practice authentic acting skills.
Beyond the Aria: Artistic Self-Empowerment for the Classical Singer by Neal Goren
Call Number: MT892.G67 2021
Publication Date: 2020
Honest up-to-date book with general information on how to pursue a career in opera and what one might need to stand out. This book is a great starting point for approaching things like performance practice and provides sample analyses of famous arias. Also includes 8 interviews with famous and successful singers!
The Inner Voice: The Making of a Singer by Renee Fleming
Call Number: ML420.F54 A3 2005
Publication Date: 2005
Celebrated modern soprano Renee Fleming's autobiography. In this book, Fleming gives the reader a behind-the-scenes view of what it is like to have a full-time career in opera. She discusses her success, her struggles with self-doubt, and the pressures of a big career.
Maria Callas : Callas Unica by Jean-Jacques Hanine-Roussel
Call Number: ML420.C35 H36 2002
Publication Date: 2002
Diva of the century, unique, incomparable - there is no dearth of superlatives to describe Maria Callas, undoubtedly one of the greatest legends of the 20th century. This is her story, the triumphs and the tragedies told in photographs, with dates and full descriptions throughout.

Vocal Pedagogy, Diction, and Performance Techniques

Your Voice: An Inside View by Scott McCoy
Call Number: MT821 .M36 2012
Publication Date: 2012
Voice science and pedagogy are presented through an interactive textbook with supporting multimedia computer program, published on CD-ROM.
Singing with Your Whole Self: The Feldenkrais Method and Voice by Samuel H. Nelson; Elizabeth Blades-Zeller
Call Number: MT821 .N45 2002
Publication Date: 2001
This book teaches performers to use the Feldenkrais Method to ameliorate problems of tension, muscle strain, and illness in order to obtain optimal vocal performance. Chapters include lessons that revolve around improving performance. Includes an index by lesson and problem, referring performers to the lessons most effective for a specific problem.
Securing Baritone, Bass-Baritone, and Bass Voices by Richard Miller
Call Number: MT820 .M55 2008
Publication Date: 2008
This book is a great tool for baritone, bari-bass, and bass singers! It goes into the distinctions between those three lower voice types while giving specific advice for problems bass clef voices might encounter.
On the Art of Singing by Richard Miller
Call Number: MT820 .M55 1996
Publication Date: 1996
A classic collection of essays discussing many different aspects of the voice and what it means to be a singer. While on the older side, this book still tackles many topics that continue to concern young singers. Miller covers topics from basic technique and style of different genres of repertoire to professionalism.
The Structure of Singing: System and Art in Vocal Technique by Richard Miller
Call Number: MT825 .M55 1996
Publication Date: 1986
Combining the physical, technical, and artistic aspects of singing, the author applies current findings in medicine, acoustics, phonetics, and speech therapy to the singer's needs. The text demonstrates the scientific basis of exercises and vocalises, covering all major areas of vocal technique.

Libretti in the Academic Library

Libretti for individual operas and musicals can be found in the Plays section of the Academic Library.

Libretti of Russian operas by Belov, Anton
Call Number: REF 782.1 L697B
Publication Date: 2004
With International Phonetic Alphabet transcriptions and word-for-word translations, including a guide to the IPA and Russian lyric diction.
Le Nozze di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro) Libretto by Da Ponte, Lorenzo, 1749-1838 (librettist)
Call Number: LIBRETTI EUROPE MOZART.W NOZZE
Publication Date: 1947
English translation by Thomas and Ruth Martin.
Falstaff Libretto by Verdi, Giuseppe, 1813-1901 (composer); Boito, Arrigo, 1842-1918 (librettist)
Call Number: LIBRETTI EUROPE VERDI.G FALSTAFF
Publication Date: 1894
The Magic Flute Libretto by Schikaneder, Emanuel, 1751-1812 (librettist); Giesecke, Carl Ludwig, 1761-1833 (librettist)
Call Number: LIBRETTI EUROPE MOZART.W MAGIC
Publication Date: 1980
English translation by Ruth and Thomas Martin.

Nico Castel Diction Books

Nico Castel (1931-2015) was a tenor and world-renowned language and diction coach. Castel spoke 7 languages and served as a diction coach at the Metropolitan Opera for three decades. His libretti and diction books are great tools as both guides for the specific operas' texts and general awareness of good dicition.

The complete Puccini libretti by Castel, Nico, 1931-2015 (author)
Call Number: REF 782.1 P977C V.1 (V. 2)
Publication Date: 2002-2004
With International Phonetic Alphabet transcriptions, word-for-word translations, including a guide to the I.P.A. and notes on the Italian transcriptions.
Gluck & Monteverdi opera libretti by Castel, Nico, 1931-2015 (author)
Call Number: REF 782.1 G567C
Publication Date: 2008
With international phonetic alphabet transcriptions, word-for-word translations, notes on the French and Italian transcriptions
The libretti of Mozart's completed operas by Castel, Nico, 1931-2015 (author)
Call Number: REF 782.1 M939C V.1 (V. 2)
Publication Date: 1997-1998
In two volumes / with International Phonetic Alphabet transcriptions, word-for-word translations, including a guide to the I.P.A. and notes on the Italian and German transcriptions.
The complete Verdi libretti by Castel, Nico, 1931-2015 (author)
Call Number: REF 782.1 V484C V.1 (V. 2-4)
Publication Date: 1994-1996
In four volumes / with International Phonetic Alphabet transcriptions, word-for-word translations, including a guide to the I.P.A. and notes on the Italian transcriptions.
Italian, French Belcanto opera libretti by Castel, Nico, 1931-2015 (author)
Call Number: REF 782.1 I88C V. 2 (V. 3)
Publication Date: 2002
With International Phonetic Alphabet transcriptions and word-for-word translations, including a guide to the I.P.A. and notes on Italian phonetics.
Verismo opera libretti by Castel, Nico, 1931-2015 (author)
Call Number: REF 782.1 V557C V.1
Publication Date: 2002
In two volumes / with International Phonetic Alphabet transcriptions and word-for-word translations, including a guide to the I.P.A. and notes on Italian phonetics.
French opera libretti by Castel, Nico, 1931-2015 (author)
Call Number: REF 782.1 F875C V.1 (V. 2-3)
Publication Date: 1999-2005
With International Phonetic Alphabet transcriptions, word-for-word translations, including a guide to the I.P.A. and notes on the French transcriptions.
Four Strauss opera libretti by Castel, Nico, 1931-2015 (author)
Call Number: REF 782.1 S911C
Publication Date: 2002
With International Phonetic Alphabet transcriptions, word-for-word translations, including a guide to the German I.P.A., and notes on the German transcriptions.
Three Wagner opera libretti by Castel, Nico, 1931-2015 (author)
Call Number: REF 780.92 W135T
Publication Date: 2006
With International Phonetic Alphabet transcriptions, word-by-word translations including a guide to the German I.P.A., and notes on the German transcriptions.
The ring of the Nibelung / Richard Wagner libretto by Castel, Nico, 1931-2015 (author)
Call Number: REF 780.92 W135C
Publication Date: 2003
With International Phonetic Alphabet transcriptions, word-for-word translations, a guide to the IPA, and notes on the German transcriptions.
The merry widow / Franz Lehár libretto by Castel, Nico, 1931-2015 (author)
Call Number: REF 782.1 L522D
Publication Date: 2006
With International Phonetic Alphabet transcriptions, word-by-word English translations including a guide to the German IPA, and notes on the German transcriptions.
Die Fledermaus / Johann Strauss libretto by Castel, Nico, 1931-2015 (author)
Call Number: REF 782.1 S911D
Publication Date: 2006
With International Phonetic Alphabet transcriptions, word-by-word English translations including a guide to the German IPA, and notes on the German transcriptions.