OneSearch is Ball State Libraries' integrated discovery tool for books, scores, articles, recordings, and other library materials. It also indexes selected trustworthy online resources and incorporates subscription databases such as Academic Search Complete. On the Libraries' home page, you will see a simple search box:
After searching for your topic, you may find more resources than you need. You can narrow your results by using the filters listed to the left of the search results. For both physical and online books owned by Ball State University Libraries, check "Library Catalog." For physical books, the location (Music Collection) and call number (beginning with "M") indicate the books' location in Bracken Library. To specify online books (ebooks) only, check "eBook Full Text Online." Some eBooks require log in with Ball State University authentication to view the book. |
More information on OneSearch can be found at the research guide here: https://bsu.libguides.com/onesearch.
The Music Collection at University Libraries uses Library of Congress Classification, or LCC, for organizing books and scores on the shelves. This system, maintained by the national library of the United States and utilized by libraries across the country and around the world, groups together items on similar subjects. Each item is then assigned a unique call number which combines alphabetical and numerical characters. These features are designed to make browsing library collections easier for users and librarians alike. Tip: Enter the first part of a call number into OneSearch to see all items in a given section.
Call Numbers for Opera:
ML 47 - 54.8 Librettos. Texts. Scenarios
ML 385 - 429 Biography
ML 410 Composers
ML 420 Singers
ML 429 Others, including managers
ML 1699 - 2110 History and criticism. Dramatic music
ML 1700 General works
ML 1702 - 1706 By period
ML 1710 - 1751 By region or country
ML 1711 United States
ML 1723 Austria
ML 1727 France
ML 1729 Germany
ML 1731 Great Britain
ML 1733 Italy
ML 1737 Russia
ML 1800 - 2100 Forms and types
ML 1800 Serious opera
ML 1850 Comic opera
ML 1900 Operetta
ML 2110 Libretto [studies]
ML 3857 - 3862 Aesthetics. Dramatic music
ML 3918.O64 Social and political aspects. Opera
MT 95 - 100 Analysis and appreciation. Dramatic music
University Libraries also uses Library of Congress Subject Headings, or LCSH, to facilitate subject searching of its online records. This integrated and multilayered system of tagging establishes a controlled vocabulary whereby users can search the catalog with agreed upon terminology. For a composer, use their full name and birth and dates with the sub-division "Criticism and interpretation," for example:
Opera is the main subject term.
There are sub-divisions by period:
There are also sub-divisions by region or country:
The recommended books below represent a wide sampling of topics in opera and include histories, source readings, stylistic analyses, and investigations into social issues. Perhaps one or more of these topics will inspire your next research project. Books are sorted by their call numbers for ease of browsing. Hover over the info icon to see a description. Also find specific series such as Cambridge Studies in Opera.
Users are encouraged to search for items beyond University Libraries' catalog via RILM Abstracts of Music Literature and WorldCat. Materials not available in print or online may be requested through Interlibrary Loan. Please allow up to seven days for electronic delivery and up to fourteen days for delivery of physical items.