<work>

Provides a detailed description of a work — a distinct intellectual or artistic creation — specifically its history, language use, and high-level musical attributes (e.g., key, tempo, meter, medium of performance, and intended duration).
3.3.1 Title Statement, 3.5.1 FRBR Entities in MEI, 3.5.2 Component Parts in FRBR, 3.6 Work Description, 3.6.12 Classification, 3.6.13 Work Relationships, 3.8.2 Including non-MEI Metadata in MEI files
Module
MEI.header
Attributes
analog, auth, auth.uri, class, codedval, copyof, corresp, data, evaluate, follows, label, n, next, precedes, prev, resp, sameas, synch, target, targettype, type, xlink:actuate, xlink:role, xlink:show, xml:base, xml:id
analog(optional)Contains a reference to a field or element in another descriptive encoding system to which this MEI element is comparable. Value is plain text.
<work>att.bibl@analog
auth(optional)A name or label associated with a controlled vocabulary or other authoritative source for this element or its content. Value is plain text.
<work>att.authorized@auth
auth.uri(optional)A web-accessible location of the controlled vocabulary or other authoritative source of identification or definition for this element or its content. This attribute may contain a complete URI or a partial URI which is completed by the value of the codedval attribute. Value conforms to data.URI.
<work>att.authorized@auth.uri
class(optional)Contains one or more URIs which denote classification terms that apply to the entity bearing this attribute. One or more values from data.URI, separated by spaces.
<work>att.commonatt.typedatt.classed@class
codedval(optional)A value that represents or identifies other data. Often, it is a primary key in the database or a unique value in the coded list identified by the auth or auth.uri attributes. One or more values of datatype NMTOKEN, separated by spaces.
<work>att.authorizedatt.canonical@codedval
copyof(optional)Points to an element of which the current element is a copy. Value conforms to data.URI.
<work>att.commonatt.linking@copyof
corresp(optional)Used to point to other elements that correspond to this one in a generic fashion. One or more values from data.URI, separated by spaces.
<work>att.commonatt.linking@corresp
data(optional)Used to link metadata elements to one or more data-containing elements. One or more values from data.URI, separated by spaces.
<work>att.dataPointing@data
evaluate(optional)Specifies the intended meaning when a participant in a relationship is itself a pointer. Allowed values are: "all" (If an element pointed to is itself a pointer, then the target of that pointer will be taken, and so on, until an element is found which is not a pointer.), "one" (If an element pointed to is itself a pointer, then its target (whether a pointer or not) is taken as the target of this pointer.), "none" (No further evaluation of targets is carried out beyond that needed to find the element(s) specified in plist or target attribute.)
<work>att.targetEval@evaluate
follows(optional)points to one or more events in a user-defined collection that are known to be predecessors of the current element. One or more values from data.URI, separated by spaces.
<work>att.commonatt.linking@follows
label(optional)Captures text to be used to generate a label for the element to which it’s attached, a "tool tip" or prefatory text, for example. Should not be used to record document content. Value is plain text.
<work>att.commonatt.labelled@label
n(optional)Provides a number-like designation that indicates an element’s position in a sequence of similar elements. May not contain space characters. Value conforms to data.WORD.
<work>att.commonatt.nNumberLike@n
next(optional)Used to point to the next event(s) in a user-defined collection. One or more values from data.URI, separated by spaces.
<work>att.commonatt.linking@next
precedes(optional)Points to one or more events in a user-defined collection that are known to be successors of the current element. One or more values from data.URI, separated by spaces.
<work>att.commonatt.linking@precedes
prev(optional)Points to the previous event(s) in a user-defined collection. One or more values from data.URI, separated by spaces.
<work>att.commonatt.linking@prev
resp(optional)Indicates the agent(s) responsible for some aspect of the text’s transcription, editing, or encoding. Its value must point to one or more identifiers declared in the document header. One or more values from data.URI, separated by spaces.
<work>att.commonatt.responsibility@resp
sameas(optional)Points to an element that is the same as the current element but is not a literal copy of the current element. One or more values from data.URI, separated by spaces.
<work>att.commonatt.linking@sameas
synch(optional)Points to elements that are synchronous with the current element. One or more values from data.URI, separated by spaces.
<work>att.commonatt.linking@synch
target(optional)Identifies passive participants in a relationship; that is, the entities pointed "to". One or more values from data.URI, separated by spaces.
<work>att.pointing@target
targettype(optional)Characterization of target resource(s) using any convenient classification scheme or typology. Value is a NMTOKEN.
<work>att.pointing@targettype
type(optional)Designation which characterizes the element in some sense, using any convenient classification scheme or typology that employs single-token labels. One or more values of datatype NMTOKEN, separated by spaces.
<work>att.commonatt.typed@type
xlink:actuate(optional)Defines whether a link occurs automatically or must be requested by the user. Allowed values are: "onLoad" (Load the target resource(s) immediately.), "onRequest" (Load the target resource(s) upon user request.), "none" (Do not permit loading of the target resource(s).), "other" (Behavior other than allowed by the other values of this attribute.)
<work>att.pointing@xlink:actuate
xlink:role(optional)Characterization of the relationship between resources. The value of the role attribute must be a URI. Value conforms to data.URI.
<work>att.pointing@xlink:role
xlink:show(optional)Defines how a remote resource is rendered. Allowed values are: "new" (Open in a new window.), "replace" (Load the referenced resource in the same window.), "embed" (Embed the referenced resource at the point of the link.), "none" (Do not permit traversal to the referenced resource.), "other" (Behavior other than permitted by the other values of this attribute.)
<work>att.pointing@xlink:show
xml:base(optional)Provides a base URI reference with which applications can resolve relative URI references into absolute URI references. Value conforms to data.URI.
<work>att.commonatt.basic@xml:base
xml:id(optional)Regularizes the naming of an element and thus facilitates building links between it and other resources. Each id attribute within a document must have a unique value. Value is a valid xml:id.
<work>att.commonatt.basicatt.id@xml:id
(MEI.shared) Attributes common to many elements.
(MEI.shared) Attributes that form the basis of the att.common class.
xml:base(optional)Provides a base URI reference with which applications can resolve relative URI references into absolute URI references. Value conforms to data.URI.
(MEI.shared) Attributes that uniquely identify an element.
xml:id(optional)Regularizes the naming of an element and thus facilitates building links between it and other resources. Each id attribute within a document must have a unique value. Value is a valid xml:id.
(MEI.shared)
label(optional)Captures text to be used to generate a label for the element to which it’s attached, a "tool tip" or prefatory text, for example. Should not be used to record document content. Value is plain text.
(MEI.shared) Attributes that specify element-to-element relationships.
copyof(optional)Points to an element of which the current element is a copy. Value conforms to data.URI.
corresp(optional)Used to point to other elements that correspond to this one in a generic fashion. One or more values from data.URI, separated by spaces.
follows(optional)points to one or more events in a user-defined collection that are known to be predecessors of the current element. One or more values from data.URI, separated by spaces.
next(optional)Used to point to the next event(s) in a user-defined collection. One or more values from data.URI, separated by spaces.
precedes(optional)Points to one or more events in a user-defined collection that are known to be successors of the current element. One or more values from data.URI, separated by spaces.
prev(optional)Points to the previous event(s) in a user-defined collection. One or more values from data.URI, separated by spaces.
sameas(optional)Points to an element that is the same as the current element but is not a literal copy of the current element. One or more values from data.URI, separated by spaces.
synch(optional)Points to elements that are synchronous with the current element. One or more values from data.URI, separated by spaces.
(MEI.shared) Attributes used to supply a number-like designation for an element.
n(optional)Provides a number-like designation that indicates an element’s position in a sequence of similar elements. May not contain space characters. Value conforms to data.WORD.
(MEI.shared) Attributes capturing information regarding responsibility for some aspect of the text's creation, transcription, editing, or encoding.
resp(optional)Indicates the agent(s) responsible for some aspect of the text’s transcription, editing, or encoding. Its value must point to one or more identifiers declared in the document header. One or more values from data.URI, separated by spaces.
(MEI.shared) Attributes which can be used to classify features.
type(optional)Designation which characterizes the element in some sense, using any convenient classification scheme or typology that employs single-token labels. One or more values of datatype NMTOKEN, separated by spaces.
(MEI.shared) Attributes which can be used to classify features.
class(optional)Contains one or more URIs which denote classification terms that apply to the entity bearing this attribute. One or more values from data.URI, separated by spaces.
(MEI.shared) Attributes that describe the source of a controlled value.
auth(optional)A name or label associated with a controlled vocabulary or other authoritative source for this element or its content. Value is plain text.
auth.uri(optional)A web-accessible location of the controlled vocabulary or other authoritative source of identification or definition for this element or its content. This attribute may contain a complete URI or a partial URI which is completed by the value of the codedval attribute. Value conforms to data.URI.
(MEI.shared) Attributes that can be used to associate a representation such as a name or title with canonical information about the object being named or referenced.
codedval(optional)A value that represents or identifies other data. Often, it is a primary key in the database or a unique value in the coded list identified by the auth or auth.uri attributes. One or more values of datatype NMTOKEN, separated by spaces.
(MEI.shared) Bibliographic attributes.
analog(optional)Contains a reference to a field or element in another descriptive encoding system to which this MEI element is comparable. Value is plain text.
(MEI.shared) Attributes for linking metadata to data.
data(optional)Used to link metadata elements to one or more data-containing elements. One or more values from data.URI, separated by spaces.
(MEI.shared) Attributes common to all pointing/linking elements.
xlink:actuate(optional)Defines whether a link occurs automatically or must be requested by the user. Allowed values are: "onLoad" (Load the target resource(s) immediately.), "onRequest" (Load the target resource(s) upon user request.), "none" (Do not permit loading of the target resource(s).), "other" (Behavior other than allowed by the other values of this attribute.)
xlink:role(optional)Characterization of the relationship between resources. The value of the role attribute must be a URI. Value conforms to data.URI.
xlink:show(optional)Defines how a remote resource is rendered. Allowed values are: "new" (Open in a new window.), "replace" (Load the referenced resource in the same window.), "embed" (Embed the referenced resource at the point of the link.), "none" (Do not permit traversal to the referenced resource.), "other" (Behavior other than permitted by the other values of this attribute.)
target(optional)Identifies passive participants in a relationship; that is, the entities pointed "to". One or more values from data.URI, separated by spaces.
targettype(optional)Characterization of target resource(s) using any convenient classification scheme or typology. Value is a NMTOKEN.
(MEI.shared) Attributes that deal with resolution of values in plist or target attributes.
evaluate(optional)Specifies the intended meaning when a participant in a relationship is itself a pointer. Allowed values are: "all" (If an element pointed to is itself a pointer, then the target of that pointer will be taken, and so on, until an element is found which is not a pointer.), "one" (If an element pointed to is itself a pointer, then its target (whether a pointer or not) is taken as the target of this pointer.), "none" (No further evaluation of targets is carried out beyond that needed to find the element(s) specified in plist or target attribute.)
Component declarations that are shared between two or more modules.
analog(optional)Contains a reference to a field or element in another descriptive encoding system to which this MEI element is comparable. Value is plain text.
auth(optional)A name or label associated with a controlled vocabulary or other authoritative source for this element or its content. Value is plain text.
auth.uri(optional)A web-accessible location of the controlled vocabulary or other authoritative source of identification or definition for this element or its content. This attribute may contain a complete URI or a partial URI which is completed by the value of the codedval attribute. Value conforms to data.URI.
class(optional)Contains one or more URIs which denote classification terms that apply to the entity bearing this attribute. One or more values from data.URI, separated by spaces.
codedval(optional)A value that represents or identifies other data. Often, it is a primary key in the database or a unique value in the coded list identified by the auth or auth.uri attributes. One or more values of datatype NMTOKEN, separated by spaces.
copyof(optional)Points to an element of which the current element is a copy. Value conforms to data.URI.
corresp(optional)Used to point to other elements that correspond to this one in a generic fashion. One or more values from data.URI, separated by spaces.
data(optional)Used to link metadata elements to one or more data-containing elements. One or more values from data.URI, separated by spaces.
evaluate(optional)Specifies the intended meaning when a participant in a relationship is itself a pointer. Allowed values are: "all" (If an element pointed to is itself a pointer, then the target of that pointer will be taken, and so on, until an element is found which is not a pointer.), "one" (If an element pointed to is itself a pointer, then its target (whether a pointer or not) is taken as the target of this pointer.), "none" (No further evaluation of targets is carried out beyond that needed to find the element(s) specified in plist or target attribute.)
follows(optional)points to one or more events in a user-defined collection that are known to be predecessors of the current element. One or more values from data.URI, separated by spaces.
label(optional)Captures text to be used to generate a label for the element to which it’s attached, a "tool tip" or prefatory text, for example. Should not be used to record document content. Value is plain text.
n(optional)Provides a number-like designation that indicates an element’s position in a sequence of similar elements. May not contain space characters. Value conforms to data.WORD.
next(optional)Used to point to the next event(s) in a user-defined collection. One or more values from data.URI, separated by spaces.
precedes(optional)Points to one or more events in a user-defined collection that are known to be successors of the current element. One or more values from data.URI, separated by spaces.
prev(optional)Points to the previous event(s) in a user-defined collection. One or more values from data.URI, separated by spaces.
resp(optional)Indicates the agent(s) responsible for some aspect of the text’s transcription, editing, or encoding. Its value must point to one or more identifiers declared in the document header. One or more values from data.URI, separated by spaces.
sameas(optional)Points to an element that is the same as the current element but is not a literal copy of the current element. One or more values from data.URI, separated by spaces.
synch(optional)Points to elements that are synchronous with the current element. One or more values from data.URI, separated by spaces.
target(optional)Identifies passive participants in a relationship; that is, the entities pointed "to". One or more values from data.URI, separated by spaces.
targettype(optional)Characterization of target resource(s) using any convenient classification scheme or typology. Value is a NMTOKEN.
type(optional)Designation which characterizes the element in some sense, using any convenient classification scheme or typology that employs single-token labels. One or more values of datatype NMTOKEN, separated by spaces.
xlink:actuate(optional)Defines whether a link occurs automatically or must be requested by the user. Allowed values are: "onLoad" (Load the target resource(s) immediately.), "onRequest" (Load the target resource(s) upon user request.), "none" (Do not permit loading of the target resource(s).), "other" (Behavior other than allowed by the other values of this attribute.)
xlink:role(optional)Characterization of the relationship between resources. The value of the role attribute must be a URI. Value conforms to data.URI.
xlink:show(optional)Defines how a remote resource is rendered. Allowed values are: "new" (Open in a new window.), "replace" (Load the referenced resource in the same window.), "embed" (Embed the referenced resource at the point of the link.), "none" (Do not permit traversal to the referenced resource.), "other" (Behavior other than permitted by the other values of this attribute.)
xml:base(optional)Provides a base URI reference with which applications can resolve relative URI references into absolute URI references. Value conforms to data.URI.
xml:id(optional)Regularizes the naming of an element and thus facilitates building links between it and other resources. Each id attribute within a document must have a unique value. Value is a valid xml:id.
Member of
model.workLikeCollects work-like elements.
Contained By
workListGrouping mechanism for information describing non-bibliographic aspects of a text.
(MEI.header) Collects work-like elements.
componentListContainer for intellectual or physical component parts of a bibliographic entity.
Metadata header component declarations.
componentListContainer for intellectual or physical component parts of a bibliographic entity.
workListGrouping mechanism for information describing non-bibliographic aspects of a text.
May Contain
audienceDefines the class of user for which the work is intended, as defined by age group (e.g., children, young adults, adults, etc.), educational level (e.g., primary, secondary, etc.), or other categorization.
biblListList of bibliographic references.
classificationGroups information which describes the nature or topic of an entity.
componentListContainer for intellectual or physical component parts of a bibliographic entity.
contentsList of the material contained within a resource.
contextThe historical, social, intellectual, artistic, or other context within which the work was originally conceived (e.g., the 17th century restoration of the monarchy in England, the aesthetic movement of the late 19th century, etc.) or the historical, social, intellectual, artistic, or other context within which the expression was realized.
creationNon-bibliographic details of the creation of an intellectual entity, in narrative form, such as the date, place, and circumstances of its composition. More detailed information may be captured within the history element.
expressionListGathers bibliographic expression entities.
extMetaProvides a container element for non-MEI metadata formats.
historyProvides a container for information about the history of a resource other than the circumstances of its creation.
langUsageGroups elements describing the languages, sub-languages, dialects, etc., represented within the encoded resource.
notesStmtCollects any notes providing information about a text additional to that recorded in other parts of the bibliographic description.
otherCharAny characteristic that serves to differentiate a work or expression from another.
perfDurationUsed to express the duration of performance of printed or manuscript music or the playing time for a sound recording, videorecording, etc.
perfMediumIndicates the number and character of the performing forces used in a musical composition.
relationListGathers relation elements.
(MEI.header) Groups elements that assist in the identification of a work.
keyKey captures information about tonal center and mode.
mensurationCaptures information about mensuration within bibliographic descriptions.
meterCaptures information about the time signature within bibliographic descriptions.
tempoText and symbols descriptive of tempo, mood, or style, e.g., "allarg.", "a tempo", "cantabile", "Moderato", "♩=60", "Moderato ♩ =60").
(MEI.shared) Groups elements used to represent a textual or musical incipit.
incipThe opening music and/or words of a musical or textual work.
(MEI.shared) Groups elements used to provide a heading at the start of a text division or other markup component.
headContains any heading, for example, the title of a section of text, or the heading of a list.
(MEI.shared) Groups identifier-like elements.
identifierAn alpha-numeric string that establishes the identity of the described material.
(MEI.shared) Groups elements that delineate particular responsibilities as opposed to the respStmt element that provides for generic statements of responsibility.
arrangerA person or organization who transcribes a musical composition, usually for a different medium from that of the original; in an arrangement the musical substance remains essentially unchanged.
authorThe name of the creator of the intellectual content of a non-musical, literary work.
composerThe name of the creator of the intellectual content of a musical work.
contributorNames of individuals, institutions, or organizations responsible for contributions to the intellectual content of a work, where the specialized elements for authors, editors, etc. do not suffice or do not apply.
editorThe name of the individual(s), institution(s) or organization(s) acting in an editorial capacity.
funderNames of individuals, institutions, or organizations responsible for funding. Funders provide financial support for a project; they are distinct from sponsors, who provide intellectual support and authority.
librettistPerson or organization who is a writer of the text of an opera, oratorio, etc.
lyricistPerson or organization who is a writer of the text of a song.
sponsorNames of sponsoring individuals, organizations or institutions. Sponsors give their intellectual authority to a project; they are to be distinguished from funders, who provide the funding but do not necessarily take intellectual responsibility.
(MEI.shared) Groups elements that denote the name of a bibliographic item.
titleTitle of a bibliographic entity.
FRBR (Functional Requirements for Bibliographic Records) declarations.
expressionListGathers bibliographic expression entities.
Metadata header component declarations.
audienceDefines the class of user for which the work is intended, as defined by age group (e.g., children, young adults, adults, etc.), educational level (e.g., primary, secondary, etc.), or other categorization.
classificationGroups information which describes the nature or topic of an entity.
componentListContainer for intellectual or physical component parts of a bibliographic entity.
contentsList of the material contained within a resource.
contextThe historical, social, intellectual, artistic, or other context within which the work was originally conceived (e.g., the 17th century restoration of the monarchy in England, the aesthetic movement of the late 19th century, etc.) or the historical, social, intellectual, artistic, or other context within which the expression was realized.
extMetaProvides a container element for non-MEI metadata formats.
historyProvides a container for information about the history of a resource other than the circumstances of its creation.
keyKey captures information about tonal center and mode.
langUsageGroups elements describing the languages, sub-languages, dialects, etc., represented within the encoded resource.
mensurationCaptures information about mensuration within bibliographic descriptions.
meterCaptures information about the time signature within bibliographic descriptions.
notesStmtCollects any notes providing information about a text additional to that recorded in other parts of the bibliographic description.
otherCharAny characteristic that serves to differentiate a work or expression from another.
perfDurationUsed to express the duration of performance of printed or manuscript music or the playing time for a sound recording, videorecording, etc.
perfMediumIndicates the number and character of the performing forces used in a musical composition.
Component declarations that are shared between two or more modules.
arrangerA person or organization who transcribes a musical composition, usually for a different medium from that of the original; in an arrangement the musical substance remains essentially unchanged.
authorThe name of the creator of the intellectual content of a non-musical, literary work.
biblListList of bibliographic references.
composerThe name of the creator of the intellectual content of a musical work.
contributorNames of individuals, institutions, or organizations responsible for contributions to the intellectual content of a work, where the specialized elements for authors, editors, etc. do not suffice or do not apply.
creationNon-bibliographic details of the creation of an intellectual entity, in narrative form, such as the date, place, and circumstances of its composition. More detailed information may be captured within the history element.
editorThe name of the individual(s), institution(s) or organization(s) acting in an editorial capacity.
funderNames of individuals, institutions, or organizations responsible for funding. Funders provide financial support for a project; they are distinct from sponsors, who provide intellectual support and authority.
headContains any heading, for example, the title of a section of text, or the heading of a list.
identifierAn alpha-numeric string that establishes the identity of the described material.
incipThe opening music and/or words of a musical or textual work.
librettistPerson or organization who is a writer of the text of an opera, oratorio, etc.
lyricistPerson or organization who is a writer of the text of a song.
relationListGathers relation elements.
sponsorNames of sponsoring individuals, organizations or institutions. Sponsors give their intellectual authority to a project; they are to be distinguished from funders, who provide the funding but do not necessarily take intellectual responsibility.
tempoText and symbols descriptive of tempo, mood, or style, e.g., "allarg.", "a tempo", "cantabile", "Moderato", "♩=60", "Moderato ♩ =60").
titleTitle of a bibliographic entity.
Remarks

The perfDuration element captures the intended duration of the work.

Declaration
<elementSpec ident="work" module="MEI.header">
<desc xml:lang="en">Provides a detailed description of a work — a distinct intellectual or artistic creation — specifically its history, language use, and high-level musical attributes (
<abbr>e.g.</abbr>
, key, tempo, meter, medium of performance, and intended duration).</desc>
<classes>
<memberOf key="att.common"/>
<memberOf key="att.authorized"/>
<memberOf key="att.bibl"/>
<memberOf key="att.dataPointing"/>
<memberOf key="att.pointing"/>
<memberOf key="att.targetEval"/>
<memberOf key="model.workLike"/>
</classes>
<content>
<rng:zeroOrMore>
<rng:ref name="model.headLike"/>
</rng:zeroOrMore>
<rng:zeroOrMore>
<rng:ref name="model.identifierLike"/>
</rng:zeroOrMore>
<rng:oneOrMore>
<rng:ref name="model.titleLike"/>
</rng:oneOrMore>
<rng:zeroOrMore>
<rng:ref name="model.respLikePart"/>
</rng:zeroOrMore>
<rng:zeroOrMore>
<rng:ref name="model.workIdent"/>
</rng:zeroOrMore>
<rng:zeroOrMore>
<rng:ref name="otherChar"/>
</rng:zeroOrMore>
<rng:optional>
<rng:ref name="creation"/>
</rng:optional>
<rng:optional>
<rng:ref name="history"/>
</rng:optional>
<rng:optional>
<rng:ref name="langUsage"/>
</rng:optional>
<rng:optional>
<rng:ref name="perfMedium"/>
</rng:optional>
<rng:optional>
<rng:ref name="perfDuration"/>
</rng:optional>
<rng:optional>
<rng:ref name="audience"/>
</rng:optional>
<rng:optional>
<rng:ref name="contents"/>
</rng:optional>
<rng:optional>
<rng:ref name="context"/>
</rng:optional>
<rng:zeroOrMore>
<rng:ref name="biblList"/>
</rng:zeroOrMore>
<rng:optional>
<rng:ref name="notesStmt"/>
</rng:optional>
<rng:optional>
<rng:ref name="classification"/>
</rng:optional>
<rng:optional>
<rng:ref name="expressionList"/>
</rng:optional>
<rng:optional>
<rng:ref name="componentList"/>
</rng:optional>
<rng:optional>
<rng:ref name="relationList"/>
</rng:optional>
<rng:zeroOrMore>
<rng:ref name="extMeta"/>
</rng:zeroOrMore>
</content>
<remarks xml:lang="en">
<p>The <gi scheme="MEI">perfDuration</gi> element captures the <emph>intended duration</emph> of the work.</p>
</remarks>
</elementSpec>
MEI Version: 5.0(#eb14650)