Where to Find Opera Music Scores
Contents
Looking for opera music scores? Here are some great resources to help you find what you’re looking for.
Finding Opera Music Scores
Online Databases
There are several useful online databases for finding opera music scores:
-The International Music Score Library Project (IMSLP) is a great starting point for finding free, public domain opera scores. IMSLP is a collaborative effort to create a virtual library of public domain sheet music, and the score collection includes works by a wide range of operatic composers.
-The Opera Scores Library is another online database with a large collection of opera scores. These scores are available for purchase, but the site also offers a number of free scores.
-Ostinato is an online database of contemporary opera scores. The site includes both PDF and MIDI files for each score, making it a useful resource for both performers and scholars.
Print Sources
If you’re looking for a print source of an opera music score, your best bet is to check a large public or university library in your area. Libraries typically have a larger and more comprehensive selection of music scores than what is available for purchase at retail stores.
Another option for finding print sources of opera music scores is to contact the publisher directly. Many publishers have websites that include a searchable database of their titles. Oftentimes, you can find contact information for the publisher on the back cover or title page of the score itself.
Evaluating Opera Music Scores
When you want to find an opera music score, you have a few different options. You can go to a music store, check out the scores at your local library, or find them online. You can also find opera music scores at some online retailers. However, not all opera music scores are created equal.
Accuracy
One important aspect when talking about musical scores is accuracy. In other words, how closely does the music on the page match what the composer wrote? This can be a tricky question, as there are often many different versions of a particular piece of music. In some cases, the composer may have made changes to the music after the first version was published. Other times, editors may have made changes to try to “improve” the music. And sometimes, different copyists may have made different choices when transcribing the music from one format to another.
So, when you are looking for a particular piece of music, it is important to find a version that you can trust is accurate. One way to do this is to find a critical edition of the music. A critical edition is a version of the music that has been carefully compared to all available sources, and any discrepancies have been noted. These editions are usually published by reputable music publishers, such as Boosey & Hawkes or G. Schirmer.
Another way to ensure accuracy is to find a version that has been approved by the composer (or their estate). These versions are usually advertised as being “Authorized Editions” or something similar. However, it is important to be aware that even these versions may not be 100% accurate; in some cases, the composer may have made changes after approving the edition.
Once you have found a version of the music that you trust is accurate, it is important to make sure that you are reading it correctly. Unfortunately, musical notation can be quite confusing, even for experienced musicians. If you are not sure how to read something, there are many excellent books and websites that can help you learn.
Completeness
When searching for an opera music score, it is important to consider how complete the score is. A complete score includes all of the vocal and instrumental parts for an opera. Some scores may only include the vocal parts, or only the accompaniment. If you are looking for a specific aria or piece of music from an opera, it is often possible to find it in a solo vocal score. However, if you are looking for the complete opera music score, it is important to make sure that the score you are considering includes all of the desired parts.
Ease of Use
Now that you know the basics of how opera music scores work, you’re probably wondering where to find them. If you’re just starting out, the easiest way to get your hands on some music scores is to purchase a compilation of popular pieces. These are typically available at music stores or online. Generally speaking, the easier a music score is to read, the more expensive it will be. So if you’re looking for a challenge, you may want to start with something a little less user-friendly.
Opera companies also sell music scores, and these can be a great option if you know which opera you want to learn. In addition, many public libraries carry a selection of opera music scores that you can check out for free. If you’re having trouble finding what you’re looking for, or if you have any questions about how to read opera music scores, don’t hesitate to ask a librarian for help.
