Performing arts | National Library of Australia (NLA)

Performing arts

Showing 25 - 36 of 65 results
Photographs spread on a table, of a woman throughout her career in ballet, including photos of her dancing and portraits

Photographs of Laurel Martyn throughout her career from Papers of Laurel Martyn, 1901-1988, nla.cat-vn307525

Re-writing Australian ballet history

See how Yvette Grant used the Library’s collections to revive the memory of four women in the story of Australian ballet.

Blog
Woman with brown hair and eyes, wearing a brown sweater, sitting at a desk in the Special Collection Reading Room, smiling at the camera. On the desk in front of her is an old book of music.
Behind the curtain of Australian classical music

Explore the cultural politics of Australian art music with 2023 National Library of Australia Scholar Stephanie Shon.

Blog
A black and white photograph of a woman in a dress twirling around with her eyes closed.

Margaret Michaelis, Bodenwieser Ballet open air performance featuring Hilary Napier, 1940, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-234841729

Staging nationhood in dance photographs with Dr Wesley Lim

Dr Wesley Lim presented a lecture on his 2023 National Library Fellowship research into the papers of dancer and choreographer Gertrud Bodenwieser.

Event
Video
Sheet music featuring an illustration of a child looking out an open window

Edith Harrhy & Bronnie Taylor, Songs for young Australians [music] / words by Bronnie Taylor ; music by Edith Harrhy, 1941, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-175231656

Music research guide

The Library has the largest collection of sheet music in the country, with over 300,000 items. The bulk of the collection relates to Australian composers, performers and music publishing houses.

Research guide
Video
A person stands in an empty darkened theatre, illuminated by a single light bulb.

Daniel James Boud, Ange Sullivan, head of lighting, preparing a ghost light at the Joan Sutherland Theatre, Sydney Opera House, 2020, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-2976573618, courtesy Daniel James Boud

Theatre and performance music

Our theatre and performance music collections showcase the music Australians were listening to throughout the 20th century.

Research guide
To the Reader Shakespeare

Plutarch, The lives of the noble Grecians and Romaines, 1612, (detail), nla.gov.au/nla.cat-vn2403507

Shakespeare the Reader: An Illustrated Lecture with ANU and Bell Shakespeare

See Dr Kate Flaherty and actors from Bell Shakespeare explore the link between the books that inspired Shakespeare and Shakespeare's own work.

Event
Video
Emma Smith Sitting
Shakespeare’s First Folio: From London to Australia and many points in between

Hear Oxford academic Professor Emma Smith, the world’s leading Shakespeare scholar, discuss Shakespeare’s First Folio as part of its 400 year anniversary.

Event
Video
Guida di Musica - preface

Hook begins his book with this preface.

Learning the piano at the Library

Ever wondered how people learned the piano in the 1780s, 1880s and 1980s?

Blog
Old book open to page reading 'As You Like It: A comedy'

Nicholas Rowe (editor), The Works of Mr. William Shakespear, 6 volumes, volume 2, London: Printed for Jacob Tonson, 1709–1710, David Nichol Smith Collection, nla.gov.au/nla.cat-vn1355760

Shakespeare in the Library’s rare books collections

Celebrate William Shakespeare's birthday with Shakespearean gems from the National Library's rare books collections.

Blog
Off Stage
Bookmark This podcast, Season 1: Off Stage

Season one of the Bookmark This podcast, Off Stage, explores the vibrant characters, milestone moments and cultural treasures found in the exhibition On Stage: Spotlight on Our Performing Arts. Hosted by journalist, author, radio broadcaster and playwright Melanie Tait, Off Stage delves into the untold stories of Australia theatre, dance, music and film.

Audio
A black and white image of a man holding a microphone on a stand with 2 hands. He is holding the mic close to his mouth and has his eyes shut. He is wearing a black t-shirt and jeans.

Leigh Henningham, Brian Johnson, lead vocalist with AC/DC performing during the Back in Black Tour, Sidney Myer Music Bowl, Melbourne, Victoria, 27-28 February, 1981, nla.obj-3128575954

Celebrating 50 years of AC/DC

To celebrate this milestone, we are sharing 3 recently acquired photographs of the band

News article
Costume designs for Cochenille, Spalanzani and Guests from 'The Tales of Hoffmann', State Opera of South Australia 1982

Kenneth Rowell, Costume designs for Cochenille, Spalanzani and Guests (detail), The Tales of Hoffmann, State Opera of South Australia 1982, Kenneth Leslie Rowell Costume Design Archive (Pictures), nla.gov.au/nla.cat-vn6938134

Kenneth Rowell: Designer for the Stage

This collection-in-focus display highlighted the work of Melbourne-born painter and designer Kenneth Rowell.

Exhibition

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