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 B 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.


Live performance 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.

In-text citation example

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

OR

In a performance of Beethoven’s Emperor Piano Concerto (no. 5) at the Melbourne Recital Centre on April 21, 2012 ….

OR

… the performance of Beethoven’s Emperor Concerto by Olli Mustonen (Melbourne Recital Centre, April 21, 2012).

Reference list

Reference list template

Citations of live performances should generally be weaved into the text and may therefore be omitted from the reference list. 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.

This example is provided for those who do need to include an entry in a reference list. Note that recordings of live performances should be treated as a recording.

Performer (Surname, Given Name). Year. Title of Work (Descriptive Title if relevant) by Composer. Venue, Place of Performance, Month, Day [of Performance].

Reference list example

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

Tips for this reference type

  • See Manual 14.166 and Turabian 19.5.1.
  • If there is more than one named performer, see the multiple author guidance on the About Chicago B page.
  • As live performances are ephemeral and cannot be consulted (unlike recordings), they generally do not require a reference list 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.
  • 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.
  • Author-date reference list entries that include a month and day (as for a newspaper article) do not need to repeat the year with the month and day. The year of publication follows the author’s name; the month and day are placed as normal (14.89).

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)