Guides
Wayfinders for our collections, tools, and servicesResearch art songs & lieder: Investigate text and translation
After reading this guide, you will be able to use tools to find literature, scores, and recordings on songs and singing
Find the text and meaning of a song
Here are methods to look for the translation, pronunciation, and interpretation of a song
1. Use LiederNet Archive, which provides multiple language translations
2. Look for text to text translation & pronunciation in IPA source
3. Use SearchWorks with Boolean logic to find library holdings
Tools for translation, interpretation, and pronunciation
- IPA SourceIPA source contains International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) transcriptions and literal translations of opera arias and art song texts. The goal of IPA source is to promote the comprehension and accurate pronunciation of foreign language texts in art song and opera in order that the singer may imbue each syllable with the appropriate emotional content. Translations into English from multiple languages.
- LiederNet ArchiveThe LiederNet Archive is the world’s largest reference archive of texts and translations of art songs and choral works that includes 36,712 translations + 162,421 vocal pieces
The Fischer-Dieskau Book of Lieder by 
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Call Number: PT1160 .E6 F5 1998ISBN: 0879100044Publication Date: 2004-08-01Translation of the original texts of over 750 songs allows the reader to follow, line by line, the English directly opposite the German.
English and German Diction for Singers by Call Number: MT883 .J64 2016ISBN: 9781442260887Publication Date: 2016-07-25A modernized approach to lyric diction. This book is designed for both undergraduate and graduate courses in German and English lyric diction and is an invaluable resource for classical singers, vocal coaches, and voice teachers alike.
Sing French by Call Number: MT883 .D38 2003ISBN: 9780971087927Publication Date: 2003-12-30Aimed at classical singers, voice teachers and vocal coaches, 'Sing French' presents the French language in its formal stage style (style soutenu) as appropriate for art song and opera.
Word-By-Word Translations of Songs and Arias, Part I by Call Number: ML54.6 .C67 W9 V.1 & V.2ISBN: 9780810801493Publication Date: 1994-03-01This classic test first published in 1966 has withstood the test of time as a teaching aid for English-speaking singers, coaches, and accompanists, in order that their art may be more communicative to the public. This word-by-word translation allows the artist to properly interpret and express the feelings and emotions that the words require at the proper time.
