Conducting Research in Music at Yale University Library 

The Library currently subscribes to these 2 important databases.

At the Music Library, you can watch hundreds of videorecordings of operas, concerts, and other musical events.

Finding Videos & DVDs at the Music Library

Yale Library's online catalog, Orbis, is the place to start. Try a simple keyword search such as: verdi AND aida AND videorecording

From the resulting list of titles, click on the number to the left of an entry to see more information.

To find the score in the library take note of the Location, Call Number and Status.

Refine Your Search

TIP The problem with keyword search is that it returns all kinds of items like books, sound recordings, etc.

How do you find only videos then?
First, from the search screen, click on "more limits"
Then in "Item Type," select "Projected Medium" and click "set limits"

After setting limits enter a keyword search and click search.

TIP When the record displays, notice particularly the Subject field, which may suggest terms that will allow you to refine your search.

TIP   There are "power terms" that you should try using in your searches. They will provide the best results. Examples of such terms include name of composers, name of film studio, name of director, numbers (e.g. opus numbers, BWV numbers, Köchel numbers, etc.), genre or form terms, distinctive titles, and names of instruments.

HERE ARE SOME EXAMPLES OF SUCH SEARCHES

More Examples of other Keyword Searches

Additional examples of keyword searchers for finding musical works.  Add videorecording to quick limit to videos or dvds.

• brahms and 118 (will find records containing Brahms’s op. 118)
• pavan or pavane (will find records with either spelling)
• purcell not dido (will find works by Purcell, except for those with the word “Dido” in them.) 
• “nozze di figaro” (using "" will find records containing the phrase)
• brahms and intermezz? (example of truncation using the question mark sign)
• trios and clarinet and bassoon (example using genre terms and instruments)