“Such Stuff as Dreams Are Made On”: How Does FRBR Fit Performing Arts?

Since it is obviously impossible to “hold” live performances in library collections (in contrast to recorded performances and motion pictures), such creations are barely accounted for in library catalogues and cataloging prescriptions, even as a topic in subject headings. The way AACR and the Anglo-American cataloging tradition deals with performing arts is discussed at length. Conversely, specialized institutions have developed their own rules for the description of live performances: the Dance Heritage Coalition (New York) creates authority records for choreographic works, and the Département des Arts du Spectacle at Bibliothèque nationale de France creates bibliographic records for theatrical, operatic, and choreographic performances. As a conclu-sion, a tentative modeling of performing arts as bibliographic entities, strictly based on FRBR, is proposed. [Article copies available for a fee from The Haworth Document Delivery Service: 1-800-HAWORTH. E-mail address: Website: © 2005 by The Haworth Press, Inc. All rights reserved.]