Detroit Opera Archive and Resource Library
The Detroit Opera Archive and Resource Library is the official library and archive for Detroit Opera, and specializes in research materials specific to dance, opera, and Detroit Opera's over fifty year history.
Dr. Tim Lentz, archivist and director of the Archive/Resource Library was interviewed for the most recent issue of the British library journal Focus on International Library and Information Work. For a complete history and overview of the resources and activities in the Archive/Resource Library, click here.
Founded in 2007 with a generous gift from Robert and Maggie Allesee, Detroit Opera is currently continuing to open its resources to the public, including books, scores, CDs, videos, and hundreds of unique items from the history of Detroit Opera productions. From performance reviews, to photographs, to an immense recording collection, Detroit Opera is proud to offer this unique resource online.
As part of an Institute of Library and Museum Services Grant titled, "Educating the 21st Century Fine and Performing Arts Librarian," Detroit Opera interns have developed a unique online archival catalog that makes available the entire Detroit Opera archive - as well as searchable database of all performances. With assistance from the Wayne State University School of Information Science, where Dr. Lentz serves on the Board of Advisors, the Archive/Library is currently cataloging and digitizing the Detroit Opera archives, both helping to preserve the history of dance and opera in Michigan, and provide experience to the next generation of information professionals.
Online Resources
This library has three different types of databases available, the library catalog, scanned archival items, and our performance history.
Detroit Opera Performance Images
The performance images collection contains imagery from the Detroit Opera performance history. This is hosted in partnership with the Wayne State University Libraries.
Library Catalog (Under Construction)
The library catalog contains all commercial items, including dance and opera books, dance videos, cd's, LP's, and librettos.
Performance Search (Under Construction)
Our performance search contains all Detroit Opera performances, including opera and dance events, and has names of all of the performers.
Program Collection 1962 – 2015
A collection of every program book for all performances, ranging from 1962 to 2015.
Michigan eLibrary
The Michigan eLibrary (MeL) has full text versions of Opera News and Dance Magazine available for all Michigan residents, along with other related titles. While Detroit Opera holds extensive print collections of Opera News and Dance Magazine, the full database is available online.
Contact Us
If you have additional questions, please free free to contact the Library Director, Dr. Tim Lentz.
Links
- Past Seasons
- Opera Company History - Dr. Lentz’s Ph.D. dissertation “The History of Michigan Opera Theatre, The Formative Years – 1963 – 1985”
- Detroit Opera Performance Images
- Artist Database Search by Name
- Opera & Musical Scores
- Program Collection
- Dance Videos
- Dance Books
- Operatic Books
- Operatic Videos
- CD Collection
- Performance History
- Search for library materials
- Search the Detroit Opera Archives
- 2013 Eminent Artist David DiChiera celebrated in monograph
- Michigan Opera Theatre’s David DiChiera named 2013 Kresge Eminent Artist
- A conversation with David DiChiera
Library Staff
The library is built with help of the many interns, volunteers, and institutions that support Detroit Opera. Read more about the people who work together to help make our materials available online.
"Creating a next generation cultural library" by Paul Gallagher (PDF)