Frequently Asked Questions

The latest number of pages included is listed on the homepage. You can also view "Browse Works" to see a full list of all titles available. Subscribe to our feed by clicking on the RSS icon on the homepage to receive updates on the latest content added.

Yes, you can use Boolean operators in any search field.

AND Operator

The AND operator retrieves all cases where words, phrases, and their variations appear in the same specified context (e.g., church AND state). As you enter more search terms, fewer results will be retrieved but each result will be of higher relevance.

OR Operator

The OR operator retrieves all instances where individual words or phrases appear (e.g., avarice OR greed, holy ghost OR spirit).

NOT Operator

The NOT operator retrieves instances where one chooses to exclude a word from a search (e.g., church NOT state).

Rules of thumb using Boolean Operators

1. Entering more search terms into an 'AND' search will reduce the number of results and help you to focus in on the most relevant matches.

2. Entering more search terms into an 'OR' search will increase the number of results and is particularly useful when you want to include synonyms of your main search term.

RSS (Really Simple Syndication) is a popular way to keep updated on what is new with a web site without having to continually visit the site. RSS feeds contain headlines and links to web pages which contain additional information. In the case of Alexander Street Press databases, the RSS feed will deliver new and featured titles recently added to the product. If you are waiting for a specific author to be added to the product, for example, the RSS feed will deliver that alert to you.

How can I receive RSS feeds?

Applications known as aggregators, news readers, or feed readers can retrieve, update, and display RSS feeds from any site. A number of news readers are available to download at not cost. Google has compiled a list of readers which you may find helpful.

How do I subscribe to a feed?

Click on the feed icon, .

Copy and paste the URL for the feed into the address field in your news reader (see above).

That's it! Simply check your news reader regularly to receive updates from the particular Web page you have subscribed to.

1. What are the streaming rates?

We use 400kbps for the standard and 800kbps for the large screen. Full screen view blows up the 800kbps file to fill the entire screen. We chose 400kb/s and 800kb/s as a balance between low rates to ensure broad accessibility off-campus access and high rates to offer better image quality. We’ve also used the best possible codec to deliver the highest image quality at those 2 bit rates.

2. Why do the videos vary in quality?

It depends on when the original video was shot. We have some video that was originally shot from the ‘50s all the way to today. A lot of streaming video on the web is originally shot in high definition, hence the wide range in viewing quality. A video performance from the 1980s will always look like it was shot in the 1980s. We feel that all of the performances chosen are pivotal to the canon and warrant inclusion in our series of critical video editions, regardless of original quality.

3. What is the source for the subtitles?

Subtitle languages included in Opera in Video are the subtitles that were produced for the DVD. If a particular language was not produced, we have not included it as an option for subtitle viewing/searching. These are not licensed libretti, but rather the actual subtitles that one would see while watching the DVD. The first release includes at least the English and the original language subtitles for most of the operas. Over time we will be releasing the rest of the subtitles for each opera.

4. How do the subtitles work?

The user can switch between subtitle languages as the opera is playing, as well as turn off subtitles at any time. Subtitles are keyed only once for a specific phrase, so if a phrase is sung twice in a row, the subtitles do not appear for the repeated text. Users will notice this more frequently in Baroque operas, as compositional styles lead towards many repeated phrases in arias.

5. There’s content that I want to link to from my own personal or library’s collection. Can I upload my content?

You can’t upload your own content, but if it’s part of the library’s online course reserve system, you can include links to that content in course folder playlists. You can include links to any outside content in our playlists, so you could create a playlist that included works from our site, plus links to any outside content so that students have one single access point for their listening/viewing assignments. Each playlist has its own static URL. You can also annotate your playlists to indicate what students should be watching or listening for.

6. Can I use your videos/clips to show the general public, or include in my own library website as a general promotion?

No – there are rights restrictions that prevent you from including any streaming video to the general public. If you are planning on doing a promotion at your library or on campus, the best way to promote would be to create a playlist of selected material, and use the link on your homepage to our databases.