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Welcome back! In this week’s post I am going to review educational institutions who are using Omeka.
The first website I am reviewing is by The Sheridan Libraries and Museums. https://exhibits.library.jhu.edu
The Arthur Friedheim Library holds the Rosa Ponselle collection which was donated in 2015 by Lester Dequaine/Frank Chiarenza Foundation.
Now, let’s take a look…
Force of Destiny: The Rosa Ponselle Collection at Peabody
This website tells the story of legendary opera singer, Rosa Ponselle.
Rosa Ponselle was the first American opera star of the 1920’s and this website is a tribute to her stardom.
The website is laid out chronologically with clear tabs indicating each page.
The creators traced Rosa’s life from childhood through her retirement and passing, presenting a complete and chronological narrative.
It is impressive how the creators incorporated various types of metadata into this website. Throughout, you’ll find photographs, newspaper clippings, brochures, postage stamps, and even audio recordings. I especially appreciated the audio recordings, as they allow viewers to hear Rosa sing, adding a unique and immersive element to the experience.
If you enjoy presidential history, Rosa was invited to perform at the White House for President Franklin Delano Roosevelt in 1921.
Rosa had a remarkable career at the Metropolitan Opera, performing from 1918 to 1937. She gave over 400 performances, including one in which she wore blackface makeup. Today, this practice is recognized as racist, and the website has removed the photograph of Rosa in her role as Selika in L’Africaine. However, the image is still accessible through a provided link. I too have provided a link to access the image here. It is a stunning portrait but I agree with the creator to have it available and not showcased.
As you explore the site, you’ll come across various objects. Clicking on any item, whether a program or a photograph, reveals the metadata created for each one. Dublin Core is the metadata schema being used. Tags are used throughout the site to help locate and connect the collection. Additionally, plugins provide access to more information, linking related objects, people, and collections. See examples below.
I encourage you to explore the entire site, navigating through each page to review the objects and their metadata. If you’re feeling nostalgic, you can listen to the audio recordings and step back in time to the Roaring ’20s. Enjoy the tour!
Cheers!
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