Did you know that you can stream music-related videos for free from the library? The Music and Media Library has access to several databases with access to full-length operas, ballets, music instruction, concerts, recording sessions, and more! Whether you’re doing research or a lover of performance, this post is designed to help you navigate music-related video streaming at Emory.
The Metropolitan Opera in New York City is committed to providing access to their performances. Their database has almost a century’s worth of full-length video and audio recordings (and livestreams) of operas performed by their company. For an interesting project, consider looking at staging of the same productions throughout the years. The recordings are well labeled, making it easy to identify specific acts and arias.
Naxos Video has over 4,000 performances, masterclasses, lectures, documentaries, and competitions. Naxos overall has a lot of content split between a few different platforms—in addition to Naxos Video, the library additionally provides access to three music streaming databases from Naxos and “Naxos: Spoken Word Library” for public domain audiobooks.
Medici.tv has a very broad collection! It has an especially high-quality collection of dance content, mostly ballet. You can stream those dance performances plus concerts, operas, documentaries, master classes, jazz, and more. Medici.tv even streams some performances live from various production companies. While there is a Medici.tv app, it is best to go through the Emory Libraries website for free access; the browser version works well on mobile.
Alexander Street Press Opera in Video (ASP)
ASP is a staple of streaming digital content for several disciplines. For music specifically, Emory has access to around 200 operas and opera-related videos. The content includes staged productions, interviews, and documentaries. ASP has extremely helpful tools in their video player, including translations, a “create clip” function, and the ability to search for words inside the transcript.
What are the Benefits of Streaming Through the Library?
Why stream through the library when there’s YouTube? The biggest benefit to using these databases over other streaming services is metadata. In essence, metadata provides the context: the who, what, where, why, when that helps you to discover and interact with information. For music and videos, the metadata includes information about the composer(s), performer(s), dates composed and published, piece duration, and record label. This information will make it much easier for users to cite their sources and to find relevant information.
These databases also have more reliable information than YouTube. Many of the platforms have accurate subtitles in multiple languages. All the databases include a few paragraphs describing the video. Some even have original program notes.
You can use Library Search on the Emory Library homepage to find videos on these platforms. Note: Naxos Video Library is the only database highlighted here with content that will not show up on the library search feature; to search for videos on Naxos, you’ll have to go through the database to find it; it is definitely worth a look.
Last but certainly not least: there are no ads on any of these databases! All information is free to use through your Emory account.
Can’t Find What You’re Looking For?
Not everything is available for streaming through the library or YouTube. For those hard-to-find videos, the library has one of the largest collections of academic videos in the country. You can check out DVDs, Blu-rays, VHS, equipment to play them on, and more in the library.
–Damaris Billups (she/her) is a senior music major at Agnes Scott College who is interning in the Music and Media Library for Fall 2022. In school, she is a violist, an active student leader on campus, and works as lead student assistant in the Music Department. Damaris will graduate in December 2022, and she plans to pursue graduate degrees in ethnomusicology and library science. Outside of her academic interests, she is also a huge fan of Star Trek.