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Open research questions in Theater, Performance, and Music History

65 unresolved questions extracted from the limitations and future-work sections of 880 Theater, Performance, and Music History papers in our library. Each links back to the study that raised it.

What the literature leaves open

  • The historical discontinuity of Baroque operas presents a challenge in contemporary performances. The lack of continuous performance traditions and the infrequent appearance of Baroque operas on modern stages make them seem fundamentally foreign to contemporary audiences. The unique reception context of Baroque operas adds complexity to directorial choices.

    Performance, Heterochrony, Historiography: The Wooster Group’s 2007–2009 Production of Busenello/Cavalli’s La Didone (1641) and Baroque Opera Representation · 2026 · DOI

  • Future research could explore the application of heterochronic strategies in other productions of Baroque operas. Future research could investigate the impact of intermedial approaches on the representation of Baroque opera in contemporary performances. Future research could analyze the role of dialectical images in challenging conventional ideas of representation in operatic stagings.

    Performance, Heterochrony, Historiography: The Wooster Group’s 2007–2009 Production of Busenello/Cavalli’s La Didone (1641) and Baroque Opera Representation · 2026 · DOI

  • The need for a guide to creative thinking for gifted teenagers. The lack of resources for teachers to generate questions and exercises on creative thinking.

    G/C/T Review: Junior Broadway · 1985 · DOI

  • The paper suggests the need for further research on the experiences of clergymen's wives. The author recommends exploring the implications for marriages and careers. The study highlights the potential for comparative research on women in similar roles.

    Devising Conventional Performances: The Case of Clergymen's Wives · 1980 · DOI

  • The paper identifies a gap in the understanding of the experiences of clergymen's wives. The study highlights the need for research on the societal expectations and pressures that lead to conformity.

    Devising Conventional Performances: The Case of Clergymen's Wives · 1980 · DOI

  • Further research could be conducted on the cultural significance of the Hollywood musical, - The 'opera vs. swing' narrative could be explored in other contexts, such as in literature or theater

    The Theme of Popular vs. Elite Art In the Hollywood Musical · 1978 · DOI

  • The paper identifies a gap in the understanding of the 'opera vs. swing' narrative in the Hollywood musical, - It seeks to explore how this narrative is used to reconcile generations through a merger of musical styles

    The Theme of Popular vs. Elite Art In the Hollywood Musical · 1978 · DOI

  • Future research should explore the impact of market constraints on aesthetic developments within the social organization of opera, - Future research should examine the relationship between nonprofit structures and client-centeredness and aesthetic norms.

    The Relationship Between Box Office and Repertoire: a Case Study of Opera · 1977 · DOI

  • The fine arts, including opera, have not been studied in terms of market constraints, - The relationship between box office and opera repertoire has not been examined.

    The Relationship Between Box Office and Repertoire: a Case Study of Opera · 1977 · DOI

  • The compilers aimed to fill a gap in current research by creating a comprehensive bibliography of theses and dissertations on Southern theatre history.

    Southern theatre history: A bibliography of theses and dissertations · 1977 · DOI

  • Further study of the historical context of dance duels and their impact on American theatrical forms. Exploration of the relationship between individualism and the 'star system' in contemporary performance contexts.

    Dance duels on New Orleans stages during the nineteenth century · 1976 · DOI

  • The paper identifies a gap in the study of dance duels and their role in the development of American theatrical forms. It also highlights the need for further research on the competitive impulse in the theatrical arts.

    Dance duels on New Orleans stages during the nineteenth century · 1976 · DOI

  • The lack of understanding of the differences between directing drama and opera. The need for guidance on how to direct opera with no prior experience.

    On directing opera · 1975 · DOI

  • The paper identifies a gap in the understanding of the executioner's role in Baroque tragedy. The paper explores the significance and function of the executioner in modern German stage productions.

    The Executioner: A Baroque Figure on the Modern German Stage · 1973 · DOI

  • The lack of recorded information about the theatrical activity in Baltimore during this period. The difficulty in tracing the history of French-language groups in the city.

    Baltimore's eighteenth‐century French theatre · 1972 · DOI

  • The lack of recorded information about the success of the benefit for the French Sufferers. The limited information about the productions of the Comedians of the French Theatre.

    Baltimore's eighteenth‐century French theatre · 1972 · DOI

  • Further research can explore the long-term impact of the John T. Ford Amateur Association on the city's entertainment scene. Research can investigate the strategies used by theater managers in the South to overcome challenges. The paper's findings can inform future studies on community-based theater initiatives.

    John T. Ford and the savannah theater · 1972 · DOI

  • The paper identifies a gap in the understanding of John T. Ford's contributions to theater in Savannah. The paper highlights the need for further research on the challenges faced by theater managers in the South.

    John T. Ford and the savannah theater · 1972 · DOI

  • The primitive nature of the melodies and texts. The importance of understanding the social function of the music. The need to conciliate the souls of animals and the dead through rituals and taboos.

    Essays in Musical Retribalization: Hudson Bay · 1969 · DOI

  • Further study of the viola's role in various musical compositions and genres. Exploration of the viola's potential in contemporary music and its possible applications in different fields.

    The Viola—Up from Obscurity · 1966 · DOI

  • The previous lack of recognition of the viola's contributions to music. The limited understanding of the viola's unique characteristics and its ability to add depth and color to musical compositions.

    The Viola—Up from Obscurity · 1966 · DOI

  • The traditional violin family has limitations in terms of sound quality and playability. There is a need for instruments that can fill the gaps in the traditional violin family.

    The New Violin Family · 1965 · DOI

  • Prior research has not fully investigated the effect of audience variation on stage fright. There is a need for a reliable and objective measure of stage fright. The study aims to fill this gap by using palmar sweat response as a physiological indicator of stage fright.

    A palmar sweat investigation of the effect of audience variation upon stage fright · 1963 · DOI

  • The lack of diversity in children's literature and library programming - The need for more diverse stories and representations

    Guest Editor's Note: Pondering Diversity · 2015 · DOI

  • The study identifies a gap in the examination of the production of Don Juan in Hell

    Tiffany diamonds and classical music as influences on Paul Gregory's production ofDon Juan in hell · 1982 · DOI

Most-cited papers in Theater, Performance, and Music History

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65 open questions have been extracted from the limitations and future-work passages of 880 Theater, Performance, and Music History papers in our library. Each one below links back to the study that raised it, so you can read the original claim in context.

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