Conversations with the World's Leading Orchestra and Opera Librarians

Reading these informative and often fascinating interviews conducted by Lo with librarians employed by orchestras, opera and ballet companies, and individual singers located in the US, Europe, and Asia does much to dispel the notion that performance music librarians merely inventory scores and parts, distribute and collect them before and after rehearsals and performances, and mark conductors' performance indications. A librarian in charge of performance music must be especially flexible and versatile, since last-minute changes are often necessary. These specialist librarians must also order orchestral scores and parts (so thorough knowledge of different editions is obligatory), and occasionally they compose passages linking one section to the next and even provide transpositions of arias to different keys. Librarians may function in the background, but their contributions are essential for successful performances…. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Upper-level undergraduates through professionals/practitioners. * CHOICE *
Lo’s primary audience for this book—new music librarians and graduate students in library and information science—can discover the benefits and challenges of this career path thanks to the thoughtful conversations with the interviewees…. [Lo’s] discussions with the orchestra and opera librarians prove to be relevant and illuminating…. Through the stories told here, one can only respect and admire the work by these performance music librarians. * Notes: Quarterly Journal of the Music Library Association *
In the amount of space allotted for reviews, it is not possible to individually quote all the fascinating interviewees covered by this book. Those who are curious about behind-the-scenes preparations, or looking for a different slant on a career, will find the range of viewpoints and experiences to be of considerable interest. It should open many eyes to the important role these individuals play in the success of the performing ensemble. * Fontes Artis Musicae *
I thoroughly enjoyed this book! Patrick Lo’s insightful interviews offer a glimpse behind the stage door and into a little-known profession—that of the music performance librarian. Yet it is these musicians who are essential to every performance that takes place on the stage, in the pit, or at the concert hall. The knowledge shared by these consummate professionals will be of interest to conductors, composers, and performers alike, as well as anyone who enjoys behind-the-scenes stories of life in the musical arts. There is much here to learn and appreciate. I will be reading it again and again. -- Russ Girsberger, Librarian, U.S. Naval Music School and Honorary Member, Major Orchestra Librarians’ Association
Conversations with the World’s Leading Orchestra and Opera Librarians is a wonderful window into a little-known and less-understood niche of the library world except for its practitioners. I highly recommend the book to lay people and professionals alike who will find themselves fascinated by the unique, challenging and rewarding life of the music performance librarian. -- Karen Schnackenberg, Principal Librarian, Dallas Symphony Orchestra
Dr. Patrick Lo has compiled a fascinating collection of interviews with opera, ballet, and personal librarians from around the globe. Insightful, factual, and sometimes both comedic and horrifying, these interviews offer us a glimpse of the complex world of performance librarianship. This book is a valuable read for anyone interested in performing art management and also for those who are professional musicians. -- Marcia Farabee, Principal Librarian, National Symphony Orchestra (retired) Washington, DC and Three time president of MOLA, the Major Orchestra Librarians' Association
Top symphony orchestras around the world require perfectly prepared sheet music before a program can be rehearsed.  In this field, the work of music librarians is vitally important.  I am happy that the music librarians of the Berliner Philharmoniker always provide meticulously prepared parts, that allow the musicians of the orchestra to go beyond the printed score and create our unique interpretation.  I am glad that this book will illuminate the important work of music librarians to a wider audience. -- Noah Bendix-Bagley, 1st Concertmaster of the Berlin Philharmonic
I particularly enjoyed reading the entries from my colleagues—each one detailed a different perspective of their own library, demonstrating that the job is multi-faceted and much more institutionally global than one would think! Thank you for including many different types of ensemble librarians—it’s a great learning experience for both seasoned librarians as well as those who are aspiring and considering a career in the field! -- Lisa Dempsey Kane, Principal Orchestra Librarian, The Juilliard School