Stage directions

Gran padiglione d'Alessandro (Alessandro nell'Indie, Lisbona 1755)

Search form

Searches are performed using 'string matching', not free-text word searching. To overcome some of the limitations of this search method, users may employ the so-called wildcard characters: "%" (truncation character) and "_" (underscore, a placeholder for a single character in any position within a word).

When entering search keys in the Title and Text fields, words must be entered in their correct sequence, with the characters "%" and "_" inserted where appropriate. Wildcards may be used in any position, including within words.

Examples of wildcard use in text searches:

•  "%giardino%viali": returns texts containing the two words in that sequence;
• "%re%gia": returns texts containing either regia or reggia;
• "%giardin_": returns texts containing a word with the stem giardin and any ending (giardino, giardini);
• "%pr_ncipe"**: returns texts containing either principe or prencipe.

This method of constructing a search string applies to all fields in the search form.

Act and scene numbers should be entered using Arabic numerals in the format "1.03". The act number should consist of a single digit, followed by a period and the scene number expressed with two digits: 01, 02, 03, ... 11, 12, 13 ..., and ult. (= last).

To search by opera title, it is sufficient to enter a single word or stem from the title. If more than one word is entered, their order must be respected. If the exact sequence is unknown, insert "%" between the words: "Rodelinda%Longobardi".

Author names (composers and librettists) should be entered in the format Surname Given Name. All forms of names, including pseudonyms, are indexed. Only one search key may be entered; searches for the co-occurrence of two or more names are not possible. For example, it is not possible to search for operas by both "Vinci" and "Metastasio".

Since the stage directions have been extracted from librettos, it is possible to filter by edition type. A "first absolute edition" refers to the edition prepared for the first performance of an original text. A "first edition" refers to the edition prepared for the first performance of a text that had previously been set to music by another composer. Selecting "first edition" displays both first editions and first absolute editions.

Only one search key may also be entered for performance locations. Searches for co-occurrences such as "Varese" and "Novara" are not possible.

All search fields in the form are linked by the logical operator AND, meaning that search results will include only records satisfying all specified search criteria.

Search results may be displayed either as lists of Scenes or Operas. Select the corresponding button to obtain the desired type of result.

Search Results

Scenes

Scenes are listed by title and date in ascending order. For each scene, the following information is displayed: scene title; type ("new" or "-" indicating a related scene); act and scene; opera title (a double asterisk indicates a first absolute performance; a single asterisk indicates a first performance); authors of the opera (composer and librettist); performance date;  venue and building.

Clicking the headings highlighted in blue allows the records to be reordered by: scene title; type; act and scene; opera title; performance date; venue and building.  Records are always displayed in ascending order. 

The link on the incipit opens the Scene page; the link on the opera title opens the Scenes of the Opera page.

It is possible to compare up to three scene directions. Checkboxes on the left-hand side of the table allow the selection of scenes to be compared. After selecting the scenes, click the Compare Scenes button above the table to open the Compare Scenes page. The Clear button resets the selection.

Operas

Operas are listed by title and date in ascending order. For each opera, the following information is displayed: title (double asterisk = first absolute performance; single asterisk = first performance); authors (composer and librettist); performance date; venue and building.

Clicking the headings highlighted in blue allows records to be reordered by: opera title; performance date; venue and building. Records are always displayed in ascending order.  The link on the opera title opens the Opera page.

Two operas may be compared in order to compare their lists of scenes. Checkboxes on the left-hand side of the table allow the selection of the two operas to be compared. After selecting them, click the Compare Operas button above the table to open the Compare Scenes of Operas page. The Clear button resets the selection.

Descriptive Records

Scene

The upper section of the page contains two columns. The left column displays the descriptive data of the scene: page; act and scene; type ("new" or "-" indicating a related scene); complete stage direction; notes. For scenes used in more than one scene change, the total number of occurrences is indicated and the complete description of the stage direction for each scene change is provided.

The right column contains information about the opera, the libretto, and the performance. The coloured C buttons are links to Corago and open the following pages: blue: the Opera record in the Repertory; green: the bibliographic record of the Libretto; red: the Performance record in the Chronology.

If the scene is related to scenes in other librettos, the lower part of the page displays the complete list of related scenes, ordered by title and date. These scenes are listed using the same descriptive elements as in the Scene Search Results page. The row corresponding to the scene described in the upper section is highlighted with a coloured background.

The table provides the same functions as the Scene Search Results page: the scene title link updates the scene description displayed in the upper section;  the opera title link opens the Scenes of the Opera page; the Compare Scenes button opens the Compare Scenes page and displays the scenes previously selected (up to three) using the checkboxes on the left-hand side.

Opera

The upper section of the page displays the descriptive data of the Opera: title; genre designation; composer and librettist; essential bibliographic information on the libretto; performance information. The coloured C buttons are links to Corago and open the following pages: blue: the Opera record in the Repertory; green: the bibliographic record of the Libretto; red: the Performance record in the Chronology.

The Operas Based on the Same Drama button opens the page Operas Based on the Same Drama or on Related Dramas.

The lower section of the page lists the scenes of the opera with the following information: page; act and scene; type ("new" or "-" indicating a related scene); complete stage direction; notes.

Comparison Pages

Compare Scenes

This page allows the comparison of up to three scenes displayed in parallel columns.

The upper section of each column contains a brief description of the libretto and the complete text of the stage direction, together with page, act and scene number, and type ("new" or "-" indicating a related scene).

If the stage direction is related to other stage directions, these are listed in the lower section ("Related Scenes"), ordered by title and date.

The scene title link opens the Scene page.

The opera title link opens the Scenes of the Opera page.

Compare Scenes of Operas

This page allows comparison of the complete lists of scenes from two operas. The opera that is chronologically earlier appears in the left-hand column.

The upper section provides a concise description of the operas, librettos, and performances (with links to the complete records in the relevant Corago pages; see above).

The lower section presents the complete list of scenes and scene changes in each opera, with the following information: page;  act and scene; type, complete text of the stage direction; notes.

Operas Based on the Same Drama or on Related Dramas

This page presents a list of operas based on the same drama or on related dramas, indicating all surveyed librettos; it therefore concerns more than just the stage directions.

The upper section provides a concise description of the selected opera, libretto, and performance (with links to the complete records in the relevant Corago pages; see above).

The lower section contains a list of all operas based on the same drama or on related dramas, together with the complete list of surveyed librettos for each opera.

Operas are listed in ascending order according to the date of their first absolute performance. Under each opera, with indentation, all surveyed librettos are listed in chronological order.

For each libretto, the following information is provided: libretto title; authors (composer and librettist); performance date; venue, building.

The final column contains icons linking to the following descriptive records, where available: green C = Libretto record; A = Arias record of the opera;  curtain icon = Scenes record of the opera.

The links Operas and Librettos at the top right allow users to display either the list of librettos associated only with first performances or the complete list of all surveyed librettos.

Last updated: May 20, 2026