24.Mellen Opera Reference Index.Ed. Charles H. Parsons. Lewiston, N.Y.:
Edwin Mellen, 1986–1988. 21 [i.e., 23] v. ISBN 0-88946-400-6. ML102 .O6
P25. (Cited in this guide as MORI).
The 21st volume is actually three books, identified as 21a, 21b, and 21c. An
impressive achievement by Parsons, providing much information in a form not
otherwise available. V.1–4, opera composers and their works; v.5–6, librettists;
v.7–8, theaters where operatic premieres occurred (by country, then city); v.9,
operas in topical arrangement, identifying those about Aztecs, Joan of Arc,
Dido, and so on, and those based on writings of literary figures; v.10–12,
discography; v.13–14, premiere casts for operas of each composer; v.15–16,
index of the cast members; v.17–18, bibliography of books about opera, in
classified order, with full publication data (about 9,000 titles; no author
index); v.19, index to contemporary reviews of the premiere performances;
v.20, videography, listing 895 videos of 298 operas, with casts; v.21a-b-c,
printed scores in American libraries (without library locations). It is easy to
find errors, omissions, and oddities in this vast compilation, but its utility is
considerable.
25.Pipers Enzyklopädie des Musiktheaters: Oper, Operette, Musical, Ballett. Ed.
Carl Dahlhaus. Munich: Piper, 1986–. 6v. through 1997. ISBN (v.1) 3-492-
02411-4. ML102 .O6 P563.
A major work, comprising six volumes (published) of composer entries and a
projected two volumes of subject entries. For each composer, principal operas
are described (premiere data, plot, commentary). Each volume has its title
index. Although v.6 is entitled Register,it is simply the concluding (S–Z) book
in the composer set. No index to the whole encyclopedia has been announced.The next group, in alphabetical sequence, consists of diverse dictionaries and lists.
- Barlow, Harold, and Sam Morgenstern.A Dictionary of Opera and Song
Themes, Including Cantatas, Oratorios, Lieder, and Art Songs.New York:
Crown, 1966. vi, 547p. ML128 .V7 B3.
A reprint of A Dictionary of Vocal Themes(Crown, 1950), unchanged except
for the title. About 8,000 short musical themes are given, under their com-
posers, including thousands of opera arias. Index of titles. - Boldrey, Richard. Guide to Operatic Duets. Dallas: Pst... Inc., 1994. 131p.
ISBN 1-877761-65-6. ML102 .O2 B6.
A handy list of about 600 duets, arranged by first line. Each entry names the
opera and role and identifies the voice types involved. Indexing by composer,
title, role, and voice type. - Boldrey, Richard. Guide to Operatic Roles & Arias.Dallas: Pst...Inc., 1994.
554p. ISBN 1-877761-64-8. ML102 .O2 B62.
A valuable inventory of about 3,000 arias, arranged by first line. Each entry
names the opera and role and identifies the voice type involved. There are
many such types: a useful table lists 27 names for them, in four languages.
Dictionaries and Encyclopedias 7