Opera in Video (review)

Abstract

Opera in Video [Alexandria, VA]: Alexander Street Press, 2008--. http://opiv.a1exandcrsreet.com/ (Accessed October 201 1). [Requires a Web browser (Windows 98 or highei Apple version OSX/OSIO or higher) and an Internet connection. Pricing: animal subscription from $I 100 to $2495 per year or perpetual rights from $10,000 to $25,000, depending on library type, size, and materials budget; unlimited simultaneous user.] Alexancler Street Press's database Opera in Video is designed to support academic libraries that serve music programs, Offering 500 hours and 290 works. it covers the span of operatic history, including contemporary works. he database also covers a wide range of performing styles, with singers Irons I he earls. 20th century as well as more recent stars. Most of the videos offered have been released previously in DVD and Or VHS formats from such labels as Kultur. Opus Art.c. and Bel Canto Society, btu Opera in Viden also includes a substantial collection from the BBC that has not been released in the I. S. in hard copy. While it does not offer every available performance of a given opera or even all operas that have been released on DVD. Opera in Video does include at least one performance of operas that are likely to be included in music history; classes at the undergraduate level. The database is constructed to work as a teaching tool. Selections--either complete operas or individual scenes--can he added to playlisis for specific course requirements. One may browse names (singers. conductor's. stage directors and designers. choreographers, composers, libreltists), as well as venues, ensembles. roles, genres, eras of composition. anct the nature of the video (performance. documentary, biography, animation. interview). Advanced searching offers limiters for language, subtitle options. and recording date. Terms can be combined using Boolean operators to refine the search. The videos are streamed (not downloaded) at 400 kbps in the standard viewing mode and 800 kbps in the enlarged mode, which is approximately one third of the computer's screen to allow for indexing Of the tracks at the sidle, which provide instant access to a particular scene. 'niece is no zoom option and I Found no way to enlarge the image to the fall screen. The load lime is generally quick. Playlists are easy to t irate and access to them can be restricted to the creator, students enrolled in a class, or anyone who has access to the database, either within the institution or elsewhere. Each indexed chapter in We video has an to playlist icon. Should one decide that Lucia's entire mad scene is too long, or if one wants just the 13 section of a Handel do (afro aria, one can use the make clip Option to shorten an excerpt or jump to a particular section. The list. creator can add annotations for each excerpt as well. Thumbnail images from the beginning of each indexed scene are available for viewing, and there is even a Print Screen button that opens a more printer-friendly version of the screen. The sound and image quality varies (swath according to the date of the film or performance. Most of the selections are of more recent vintage and derive from actual stage productions. …