Vocal Performance

A guide to key resources for both performers and researchers interested in the history and practice of singing

Diction websites

IPA Source
The web's largest library of International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) transcriptions and literal translations of opera arias and art song texts.

The Diction Domain
Dedicated to providing information about language diction for singing, the Diction Domain contains a database of links to websites, books, and other resources. This site is primarily intended as a reference for singers and teachers of singing diction, but welcomes all visitors.
IPA Resources published by Leyerle (Nico Castel et al.)
Leyerle publishes IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) transcriptions of standard repertoire. Most of these titles are found on the Library's "singers' table."
Art Song Central: Free Sheet Music (plus IPA)
An archive and directory of free, printable sheet music for singers and voice teachers, containing mainly standard classical and traditional repertoire. All songs are in the public domain. Art Song Central includes IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) transcriptions for all French, German, Italian and Latin songs contained in this archive.

Diction books

Diction guides are found at the call number MT883. Below are a few classics:

Diction for singers: A concise reference for English, Italian, Latin, German, French, and Spanish pronunciation by Joan Wall et al.
Call Number: MT883.D52 1990 MUSIC Stacks
Exploring Art Song Lyrics by Jonathan Retzlaff (Editor); Cheri Montgomery (Editor)
Call Number: ONLINE
ISBN: 9780199775323
Publication Date: 2012-05-11
Drawing generously from four centuries of Italian, German and French art song, Exploring Art Song Lyrics embraces the finest of the literature and presents the repertoire with unprecedented clarity and detail. Each of the over 750 selections comprises the original poem, a concise English translation, and an IPA transcription which is uniquely designed to match the musical setting. Enunciation and transcription charts are included for each language on a single, easy to read page. A thorough discussion of the method of transcription is provided in the appendix. With its wide-ranging scope of repertoire, and invaluable tools for interpretation and performance, Exploring Art Song Lyrics is an essential resource for the professional singer, voice teacher, and student.
The singer's manual of English diction by Madeleine Marshall
Call Number: MT883.M37 MUSIC Stacks
A singer's manual of Spanish lyric diction by Nico Castel
Call Number: MT883.C27 1994 MUSIC Reference
Singing in French by Thomas Grubb
Call Number: MT883.G88 MUSIC Stacks
Singing in Latin, or, Pronunciation explor'd by Harold Copeman
Call Number: MT883.C664 1990 MUSIC Stacks

Translations

Translations of arias, songs, and sacred vocal music may be found in several resources. Links to the Leyerle (aka Nico Castel) publications and some of the most popular and reliable websites are below.

But one can also find translations in

other books (scan the Music Library's holdings between ML47 and ML54.8)
the liner notes to sound recordings (e.g. CD booklets, and LPs)
and select, scholarly scores

Western Libraries also provides access to bilingual dictionaries, which offer translations between English and other languages both in print and online. E.g: English-Italian/Italian-English; English-German/German-English, etc.

IPA Source
The web's largest library of International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) transcriptions and literal translations of opera arias and art song texts.

IPA resources published by Leyerle (Nico Castel et. al.)
These volumes include translations and set the standard for IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) for singers. Most of these titles are found on the Library's "singer's table"
LiederNet Archive (formerly the Lied and Art Song Texts Page)
An archive of texts used in classical art songs, choral works, and other types of classical vocal pieces. The collection currently indexes 135,350 vocal settings and includes over 25,000 volunteer translations to English, French, Italian, Dutch, German, Spanish, Portuguese, and other languages.
Aria Database
Besides providing basic information about various arias, the database includes translations and aria texts for those titles in the public domain. Though inactive since 2013, the database contains 389 aria translations.
Google Translate
Not idiomatic and often not accurate, but worth a try if you're desperate.

If you use a translation from any resource - either for a paper or a performance - remember to cite it!

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Last Updated: Apr 14, 2022 9:49 AM
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Subjects: Music

Tags: diction, IPA, opera, oratorio, performance, song, voice