Recordings of Australian folk songs, some British folk songs, Greek and Turkish music, African songs, dance music, recitations, poetry, jokes, children’s rhymes, yarns, and recollections recorded in Victoria 1953-1969.

There’s no business like show business, and this exhibition brings Australia’s performing arts history into the limelight.

The Oral History and Folklore collection records the voices that describe our cultural, intellectual and social life.

Uncover Australia's performing arts history with On Stage.

Module

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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