This page includes resources for texts and translations, as well as works on diction in various languages, and IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) transcriptions of songs and arias. The diction books are only a small selection of our holdings on this topic. Browse the MT883 and ML54.6 sections (both Reference and Circulating) for many more titles.
Texts (Online Resources)
- Public Domain Opera Libretti and Other Vocal TextsWarning: this site was last updated in 2000!
- The Aria DatabaseOffers basic information about operas and arias, translations for many aria texts, links to audio, and information about scores available for purchase.
- Schatz Collection of Opera LibrettiImages of over 12,000 opera, oratorio, and cantata libretti in the Library of Congress's Albert Schatz Collection.
Diction and IPA (Online Resources)
- IPA SourceWhile this site offers a few free transcriptions, most must be purchased by the user (the University does not have a subscription).
Singing and Communicating in English by Call Number: MT833 .L13 2007ISBN: 9780195311389Publication Date: 2007Also an electronic book (click on the title for access)
Texts (Library Resources)
Word-by-Word Translations of Songs and Arias by Call Number: REF ML54.6 .W65ISBN: 9780810801493Publication Date: 1966-72
Diction and IPA (Library Resources)
A Handbook of Diction for Singers by Call Number: MT883 .A23 2008ISBN: 9780195325591Publication Date: 2008
A Singer's Manual of Foreign Language Dictions by Call Number: MT883 .S44 2004ISBN: 0970392370Publication Date: 2004
Phonetic Readings of Songs and Arias by Call Number: MT883 .C63ISBN: 9780810815339Publication Date: 1964
German for Singers by Call Number: MT883 .O35 1997ISBN: 0028646010Publication Date: 1997Includes a CD of audio examples.
The Libretti of Mozart's Completed Operas by Call Number: REF ML49.M83 C3 1997ISBN: 978-1878617224Publication Date: 1998Castel published numerous volumes of opera libretti with IPA transcriptions (look in the ML48-ML50 section of the Reference books).
Diction Coach - G. Schirmer Opera AnthologyCall Number: MT883 .D535 2008ISBN: 9781423413110Publication Date: 2008The "Diction Coach" series, for various vocal ranges, offers IPA transcriptions, English translations, and CDs with diction recordings by professional vocal coaches.
