Libretto: An App for Reading Musicals

Doug Reside, Digital Curator of Performing Arts, New York Public Library has released a promising mobile app called Libretto, a prototype open source, e-book reader for reading musicals. So far it is only available on Android devices. Libretto allows you to compare different versions of a musical--not only the text, but the music as well. The first musical available on this platform is a good example of how useful this app will be. Doug writes:

“For testing purposes for this initial release, we are providing a variorum edition of the 1866 American melodrama, The Black Crook, which some historians may have once believed to be the first American musical.  Although the extant scripts for this piece differ very little, the music that was used in its many revivals changed frequently.  The e-book is bundled with 10 recordings (most with sheet music) of music associated with the first production in 1866.  However, if you like, you can also substitute music from later productions by downloading the music below and using the app to select it instead.”

Listen to music examples from four productions on the announcement page.

http://www.nypl.org/blog/2014/02/11/announcing-libretto

Has anyone tried out this app yet?

With thanks to Patrizia Rebulla via the IAML-L.