Where do we find a site with all the libretti we are missing these days..

[Harry]

Regularly now, I buy operas in all sizes and shapes, and get them as a present as well.
Most of the recordings come without libretti, and that is not a big problem as long as I understand the language, and is understandably pronounced. But that is not the case often I find.
There are many places were you can find libretti, and I made use of them already quite extensively.
But to the point, what are the best sites to succeed, and could you direct me to them.
I think this thread would be important to all of us, for we are frequently in need for libretti's.
And now we are on to this I propose a service in the sense that I can copy libretti's, in my possession of course, that are free from rights, for others, and they in turn provide me with copies of libretti I need.
Then this could be a sticky if it works out.
What do you think?

[Novi]

Hi Harry - try here:

http://opera.stanford.edu/iu/libmlist.html

[Harry]

Hi Harry - try here:

http://opera.stanford.edu/iu/libmlist.html

Well yes that's a start, although little is translated into English.
Thanks.

[(poco) Sforzando]

Regularly now, I buy operas in all sizes and shapes, and get them as a present as well.
Most of the recordings come without libretti, and that is not a big problem as long as I understand the language, and is understandably pronounced. But that is not the case often I find.
There are many places were you can find libretti, and I made use of them already quite extensively.
But to the point, what are the best sites to succeed, and could you direct me to them.
I think this thread would be important to all of us, for we are frequently in need for libretti's.
And now we are on to this I propose a service in the sense that I can copy libretti's, in my possession of course, that are free from rights, for others, and they in turn provide me with copies of libretti I need.
Then this could be a sticky if it works out.
What do you think?

This is the price one inevitably pays for buying inexpensive opera CD sets rather than the super-expensive deluxe models. It becomes a real problem when one is buying obscure works on labels like Opera d'Oro. (I doubt I'll ever know what is going on in Spontini's Agnese di Hohenstaufen, but it's a great unknown opera well deserving anyone's attention.)

There is a book called "101 Opera Librettos: Complete Texts with English Translations of the World's Best-Loved Operas." But from the reviews I've read, it is lacking some essential works (Falstaff, Cosi fan Tutte), and the translations are wretched.

Unless you really need to know word-for-word what is being sung at every moment, I'd recommend a book of good opera synopses, like Kobbé or (my favorite) The Grove Book of Operas. Yeah, it's not free on the Internet, but it won't set you back more than $25 USD.

[Harry]

This is the price one inevitably pays for buying inexpensive opera CD sets rather than the super-expensive deluxe models. It becomes a real problem when one is buying obscure works on labels like Opera d'Oro. (I doubt I'll ever know what is going on in Spontini's Agnese di Hohenstaufen, but it's a great unknown opera well deserving anyone's attention.)

There is a book called "101 Opera Librettos: Complete Texts with English Translations of the World's Best-Loved Operas." But from the reviews I've read, it is lacking some essential works (Falstaff, Cosi fan Tutte), and the translations are wretched.

Unless you really need to know word-for-word what is being sung at every moment, I'd recommend a book of good opera synopses, like Kobbé or (my favorite) The Grove Book of Operas. Yeah, it's not free on the Internet, but it won't set you back more than $25 USD.

Well a Synops you get most of the time, but I rather have a word for word libretto.....

[(poco) Sforzando]

Well a Synops you get most of the time, but I rather have a word for word libretto.....

The book I am suggesting is far more detailed than average. But if you want word-for-word, you gotta pay. 

[Hector]

When you find it let us all know.

It is not difficult to find libretti but without translation.

EMI allows you to download the missing libretti from there recordings and in translation but you end up, or I do, with 200 pages of 1 x sided A4!

My next step is to try a large central library, somewhere, or a large bookshop, preferably specialising in opera.

I live in London, it should not be difficult for chrissakes!

[Harry]

One which Andy found, containing the libretti from Wagner.
I am printing them now!

http://www.rwagner.net/opere/e-t-ring.html

[Harry]

The book I am suggesting is far more detailed than average. But if you want word-for-word, you gotta pay. 

Well Drasko gave me a useful link where I ordered a libretti of Don Carlos, Italian/English.
Had to pay for that, but I do not mind, as long as I have the libretti!

[Harry]

When you find it let us all know.

It is not difficult to find libretti but without translation.

EMI allows you to download the missing libretti from there recordings and in translation but you end up, or I do, with 200 pages of 1 x sided A4!

My next step is to try a large central library, somewhere, or a large bookshop, preferably specialising in opera.

I live in London, it should not be difficult for chrissakes!

But in the Rural north where according to Christo we all live in Plaggenhutten, it is difficult!

[Harry]

The book I am suggesting is far more detailed than average. But if you want word-for-word, you gotta pay. 

I will however order the Groves!

[johnQpublic]

If anyone knows where I can get one for "Aron & Moses" please "speak" up.

Thanks

[(poco) Sforzando]

If anyone knows where I can get one for "Aron & Moses" please "speak" up.

Thanks

You could try searching under "Moses und Aron." 

But seriously, you're not going to find a complete libretto for free online to a work like that still under copyright. And that's one opera where detailed word-for-word knowledge is essential. Best I can do for you is this:

http://humanities.uchicago.edu/journals/jsjournal/tugendhaft.html

[Keemun]

Here's a website you might try.  I don't know how it compares to the others already posted.

http://www.impresario.ch/libretto/

[Walt]

Hi everybody!
Here are some more: http://www.geocities.com/voyerju/libretti.html

W

[Harry]

Here's a website you might try.  I don't know how it compares to the others already posted.

http://www.impresario.ch/libretto/

Good one too, its in the data base!
Thanks Todd.

[Harry]

Hi everybody!
Here are some more: http://www.geocities.com/voyerju/libretti.html

W

Certainly very good too, also added!

[johnQpublic]

You could try searching under "Moses und Aron." 

Moses always demanded Top Billing   

[Keemun]

Good one too, its in the data base!
Thanks Todd.

You're welcome, Harry. 

[listener]

Used LP sets may be worth the price for the libretto alone.     Weekend yard sales can sometimes provide pleasant surprises in upscale neighbourhoods when elderly residents move.
I kept my LP sets for the readable size booklets.