Tag Archives: Publication types
Joan Sutherland, 1926–2010
Today it was our sad duty to add Joan Sutherland’s obituary to our database. Dubbed “La Stupenda” by the Italian press in 1960, Dame Joan was one of the greatest bel canto sopranos of all time. Above, we celebrate her … Continue reading
Filed under Opera, Publication types
The Okeh laughing record
According to “Humorous reflections on laughing records” by Abigail Cooke (ARSC journal 32/2 [winter 2001], pp. 232–242, three types of sound recordings involving laughter were produced between 1904 and 1923: (1) laughing songs, in which stylized laughter is integrated into … Continue reading
Filed under Humor, Mass media, Publication types
Festschriften
Generally, Festschriften fall into three categories: memorial volumes, issued shortly after the death of the honoree, and often comprising personal tributes and reminiscences; commemorative volumes, published to honor some milestone in the deceased dedicatee’s life; and Festschriften proper, presented to … Continue reading
Filed under Publication types, Romantic era
Program notes
Like souvenir books, program notes may be considered ephemera, but often they are the best sources for information about important productions, festivals, and other events. Some, like Playbill, are issued as numbered periodicals that libraries and individuals subscribe to. Others … Continue reading
Filed under North America, Publication types, World music
Operas as graphic novels
With their dramatic action and vivid characters, operas have inspired a number of graphic novels, including books by P. Craig Russell and a series (now out of print) produced in collaboration with England’s Royal Opera House. The most noteworthy examples … Continue reading
Filed under Dramatic arts, Opera, Publication types, Romantic era, Visual art
Souvenir books
Often souvenir books are considered ephemera: Most libraries do not purchase them. Sometimes, however, they take the form of a book of articles by notable authors; these are treated as essay collections by libraries and by RILM. For example, the … Continue reading
Filed under Dramatic arts, Publication types, Reception, Romantic era
Facsimile editions
Facsimile editions may present reproductions of illuminated manuscripts; they also may document creative processes, like the famously scrawled and blotted manuscripts of Beethoven. In rare cases facsimile editions provide evidence of collaborative processes; an example is the recent edition by Leo S. … Continue reading
Filed under Dramatic arts, Opera, Publication types, Romantic era, Source studies
