Voce Moderna is an online database of contemporary opera arias that helps singers discover and purchase practice tracks for works written since 2000, built on Next.js with a Sanity CMS backend.
What is Voce Moderna?
Voce Moderna is a web directory that catalogs arias from contemporary operas, focusing on music composed after the year 2000. For each aria, the site offers details about the composer and librettist, a full opera synopsis, links to available scores, and a downloadable practice track. The project runs on a React and Next.js frontend with TypeScript, styled with TailwindCSS and TailwindUI, and uses Sanity as its content management system. Composers and publishers collaborate with the project and receive royalties whenever a practice track is purchased, because mechanical licenses are obtained to permit personal use.
Key Features
- Searchable aria catalog — Browse contemporary arias with metadata for composers, librettists, and operas, plus links to scores.
- Practice track downloads — Purchase individual tracks through Snipcart, which integrates with Stripe for payment processing.
- Royalty payments to composers — Each sale generates royalties for the collaborating composer and publisher.
- Mechanical licensing — Tracks are licensed for personal study use, so singers can legally practice at home.
- Full synopses — Every opera entry includes a complete synopsis, useful for context when learning a role.
- Score links — Aria pages link out to available scores, giving singers direct access to the music.
- Built with modern web tech — Next.js, React, TypeScript, TailwindCSS, TailwindUI, Sanity, Snipcart, and Stripe.
Who is it for?
- Opera singers who want to expand their rep with living composers and need reliable practice tracks for works written this century.
- Voice teachers who are looking for contemporary arias for students and need synopses and score links for lesson preparation.
- Composers and publishers who want their post-2000 operas discovered, and who benefit from the royalty stream on track sales.
- Opera directors and casting agents who need a curated list of new works and arias for casting calls.
What can you do with Voce Moderna?
- Singers: Find arias by composer or opera, listen to practice tracks, and buy only the ones you need for your personal practice.
- Teachers: Use the synopses and score links to structure assignments and introduce students to modern opera repertoire.
- Composers: Get your arias catalogued alongside your biographical info, and earn royalties as singers buy your practice tracks.
How does Voce Moderna work?
The site presents an aria database where you can search and browse entries. When you decide to purchase a practice track, Snipcart handles the transaction and Stripe processes the payment. The project has already secured mechanical licenses for the tracks, and composers and publishers receive royalty payments from each sale.
FAQ
Is Voce Moderna free to browse?
Browsing the database appears to be free, since only practice track purchases involve a payment flow. The site does not mention registration fees or subscriptions.
Can I perform publicly with the practice tracks?
No, the mechanical licenses cover personal use only, so the tracks are intended for individual practice rather than public performance.
Who gets money from track purchases?
Composers and publishers are collaborators with Voce Moderna and receive royalties on every track purchase, which is why the project seeks mechanical licenses.
What repertoire is included?
The project focuses on contemporary opera arias written since 2000, and the site states that creators, operas, and arias will be added over time.
