Performing arts | National Library of Australia (NLA)

Performing arts

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Collection guide
Ingram Collection

Photographs, programs, cast lists, souvenir booklets, invitations and ephemera relating to Australian ballet, plus personal papers of Geoffrey Ingram and Edouard and Xenia Borovansky.

Collection guide
Collection guide
Italian Drama Collection

1011 plays and libretti published in Italy between about 1720 and 1900 including a number of Italian translations of plays written by French, German and other European dramatists.

Collection guide
Book cover illustration of "The Excellencies of Musick," featuring ornate cursive text and a classical drawing of a baroque music scene with performers and an elaborately decorated harpsichord.
Kassler Collection

Books on music and printed music published in Britain from the mid-17th century to the 20th century.

Collection guide
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
Two costume designs, one for a man the other for a woman, with annotations. The man's costume features a blue and green shirt with puffy sleeves, a brown vest, boots, a blue hat and an optional blue cloak. The woman's costume is an orange gown with a small headpiece.

Costume and set sketches - Twelfth Night, 1968, from the papers of Kristian Fredrikson, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-3139276048

Kristian Fredrikson costume designs for the plays of William Shakespeare

Explore the crossover of two masters of their crafts with these beautiful sketches and designs.

Blog
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
Collection guide
Leighton Collection

Small collection of German and Austrian books, mostly early twentieth century, including poetry, plays, novels, essays, fairytales, folklore, art books, memoirs, and books on the theatre and opera.

Collection guide
Cover of the program with Dame Nellie Melba's portrait wearing a tiara

Rachel & Verlaine Pitt-Rivers, Chanson d'automne, W.H. Paling & Co, 1922, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-168708778

Melba Collection

Discover the legacy of Dame Nellie Melba, one of opera’s greatest voices, through her unique collection. Featuring sheet music, personal letters, and rare items from her iconic career, this collection offers an intimate glimpse into her rise from Australian talent to international soprano. Explore her artistry, personal connections, and lasting impact on the world of opera.

Collection guide
Collection guide
Meredith Collection

Recordings of Australian folk songs, dance music, recitations and oral history, collected by folklorist John Meredith (1920–2001). The collection also includes photographs and manuscripts documenting folk traditions and the bush music revival.

Collection guide
A row of men in concert dress holding musical instruments

Reg Lewis and the Prince Edwardians at the Prince Edward Theatre, Sydney, c1945, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-147014210

Music performance research guide

The Library has a diverse collection of materials documenting the history of Australian musical performance.

Research guide
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
Ballerina Justine Summers strikes a pose for the camera. She is standing en point wearing a black tutu. She is standing infront of a textured curtain. She is staring directly at the camera.

Jim McFarlane, Justine Summers in "Divergence", the Australian Ballet, 1994, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-136367403

On stage

Module

This resource is aligned to the Australian Curriculum: The Arts for years 5 & 6 students.

Digital Classroom

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