Operatic Productions in the Netherlands, 1886–1995: from Printed Annals to Searchable Performance Data

This article accompanies the database Operatic productions in the Netherlands, an open dataset containing details on over five thousand opera productions in the Netherlands between 1885 and 1995 extracted from the Annalen van de Nederlandse Opera-gezelschappen (Annals of the Opera Companies in the Netherlands), which appeared in book form in 1996. These data give an extremely rich account of the performance history of operatic works and the personnel involved in their production. Since the original publication lacks a critical introduction we have attempted to reconstruct the origins and systematics of the collection. In addition, we discuss the attributes of the data and the basic data structure in order to give users the relevant information to use and restructure the data for their personal interests. The data structure and metadata classifications are based on an inventory of the classifications used in existing performing arts databases across Europe. This facilitates future connections to other relevant performing arts datasets. The transfer of the Annals into a relational database finally brings out their full research potential.