The Music Division of the New York Public Library has an exciting collection of set and costumes designs, many of which have been digitized and can be viewed from anywhere in the world.The collection consists of over 5,000 designs which were intended for various opera productions held at differing venues.The collection includes blueprints of set elevations, scenery elevations,  lighting plots, and backdrops. Researchers will find designs by Lewis Brown, H.A. Condell, Ladislas Czettel, Frederick Kiesler, Donald Oenslager, Wolfgang Roth, Richard Rychtarik, Rouben Ter-Arutunian, Lester Polakov, Lee Watson, and many more. Prevalent mediums among the designs are watercolors, blueprints, tempera, ink, pastels, and pencil. There is also an additional collection of supplementary materials to the designs which include sketches, notes, technical information, letters, communications with the stage crew, duplicates of designs, and set model pieces.

The library’s Digital Imaging Unit has been able to digitize 1,272 of designs from the collection. A large portion of these digitized designs are from set and costume designer Richard Rychtarik (1894-1982). Rychatrik's modernist approach in his designs was influenced by theatrical producer Max Reinhardt and Czech architect Vlastislav Hofman.He worked on several different productions for the Cleveland Orchestra, the Metropolitan Opera, and the New York City Opera. However, Rychatrik’s best known work was as set designer for the American television sitcom The Honeymooners.

There's so much to discover in our Digital Collections—take a look for yourself!