The "Horst-Günter-Bibliothek"

The "Horst-Günter-Bibliothek"

The Horst Günter Library is an academic study library with a unique collection of writings on singing. The collection consists mainly of literature on vocal pedagogy as well as singer biographies, opera history, composers and other singing-related topics. The library also contains an extensive CD collection with recordings from the field of singing.

All books and reference works are freely accessible and systematically organised by subject.

The collection is included in the library's online catalogue and can be searched.

=>> Link to the online catalogue

The catalogue can also be used to search specifically for the holdings of the Horst Günter Library. The Horst Günter Library can be selected via the "Advanced search" in the "Subject search" field so that only media from this library are displayed.

The Horst Günter Library is a reference library. The media cannot be borrowed. They can only be used in the library rooms. Workstations and a photocopier are available.

The library is open to the public. The collection is available to anyone interested in researching, learning or reading.

Horst Günter (1913-2013) was a renowned singer and singing teacher. Over the course of his long life, he amassed a library of books and other writings on singing spanning four centuries, which is probably unique in the world in its encyclopaedic standard. Vocal treatises from the 17th to 19th centuries, many in valuable first editions, vocal encyclopaedias, vocal and medical studies and biographies of singers are brought together here in a collection which, due to its unity, has the character of a scientific study library.

Through the mediation of Günter's student Thomas Hampson, the university was able to acquire this treasure trove of books, which will be publicly accessible in future as the "Horst Günter Library" in one of the Kavaliershäuser. Parts of the older collection will also be digitised.
The library is at the heart of a planned centre for vocal research, which aims to promote a lively dialogue between academia and practice.