Live performance - music


You may need to consult more than one section of Re:cite to accurately represent the source used. Your citation may look different depending on the number of authors it has. Check the About Chicago A page for further advice.

Live performance - music may include (but is not limited to) music, theatre, dance, music theatre or spoken word performances.
This entry is for music performances only. For other live performances, refer to live performance - dance or theatre.


Footnote template

1. Performer(s), Title of Work (Description Title if relevant), by Composer, Venue, Place of Performance, Date of Performance.

Footnote example

First entry:

4. Olli Mustonen, pianist and director, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Piano Concerto No. 5 (Emperor) by Ludwig van Beethoven, Melbourne Recital Centre, Melbourne, April 21, 2012.

Second and subsequent entries:

17. Mustonen, Piano Concerto no. 5.

Bibliography

Bibliography template

Citations of live performances can generally be omitted from the bibliography, however they should be included if they form a critical part of your research, or if they are frequently cited. Check with your lecturer if you are unsure.

Performer Surname, Given Name. Title of Work (Description Title if relevant) by Composer. Venue, Place of Performance, Date of Performance.

Bibliography example

Mustonen, Olli, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. Piano Concerto No. 5 (Emperor) by Ludwig van Beethoven. Melbourne Recital Centre, Melbourne, April 21, 2012.

Tips for this reference type

  • See Manual 14.166 and Turabian 19.5.1.
  • You may choose to include a group or stage name as the performer.
  • If the performance involves more than one named performer (instead of a group name), consult the multiple author guidance on the About Chicago A page.
  • As live performances are ephemeral and cannot be consulted (unlike recordings), they generally do not require a bibliographic entry.
  • Cite recordings of live performances as per the recorded medium (i.e. DVD, online video, sound recording). Relevant examples are at 14.163, 14.164, and 14.165.
  • Many musical works are known by their generic names, such as 'Symphony no. 1' or 'Sonata in A major', while some have descriptive or popular names (such as 'Eroica' or Danse Macabre). See Manual 8.196 and 8.197 for guidance on whether titles should be italicised, in quotation marks or set in roman type.
  • Second and subsequent entries should include enough information to distinguish them from other entries.
  • If the performance of an individual is important to your research, list that person's name before the title of the work.
  • There may be multiple performers, including soloist, ensemble and conductor. Include all information relevant to the resource.
  • The abbreviation “No.” is now capitalized within the title of a musical work except when following an opus number.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)