When I researched which public libraries offered Kanopy for streaming movies and documentaries, I read that some libraries also offered streaming ballet, opera, jazz, and classical music performances through a service called medici.tv. medici.tv is a company based in Paris. It says this on its website:
medici.tv is recognized as the world’s leading classical music channel. Each year, we are proud to bring 150+ exceptional live performances from top artists and ensembles to passionate music fans worldwide. Our platform is home to the world’s largest video-on-demand catalogue in the classical music industry with over 4,000 concerts, operas, ballets, documentaries, master classes and jazz programs available to stream in HD.
I tried it by watching a ballet Kaguyahíme: The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter by the Tokyo Ballet. It was based on a lovely story from the 10th century in Japan. Short of going to Tokyo to see it in person, the experience was as good as it could get.
In addition to recorded performances, medici.tv also streams live events. The upcoming events calendar shows it’ll broadcast the season opening performance at the La Scala opera house in Milan on December 7. You get to watch a world class performance live at home. Incredible!
Access Through Library
Some public libraries provide access to medici.tv through a proxied login. The library redirects you to medici.tv’s website after you enter your libary card and PIN on the library’s website. You choose a performance and watch it in the browser on your computer or tablet or cast it to your TV via AirPlay or Chromecast.
The library I used provides access to medici.tv indirectly through another streaming service Hoopla. You first create an account with Hoopla using your library card and PIN. Then you borrow a 7-day BingePass for medici.tv in Hoopla. Hoopla sends you to medici.tv’s website with a temporary login good for 7 days.
I installed the Hoopla app on a tablet. The workflow looks like this:
- Find the BingePass for medici.tv in the Hoopla app on the tablet
- Borrow the BingePass from the library
- Click on Play. The Hoopla app launches a new browser tab for medici.tv.
- Find a performance on medici.tv’s website. Click on play to watch it in the browser on the tablet or cast the stream to a TV via AirPlay or Chromecast.
Subscribe Directly
Accessing through the library works if you watch this type of performances only occasionally. You get the best experience by subscribing to medici.tv directly if you watch regularly. medici.tv has an app for Apple, Google, and Roku devices.
Unlike Kanopy, you can subscribe to medici.tv directly if your library doesn’t provide it. As I’m writing this, medici.tv is offering a 12-month gift card for $74.50 (not an affiliate link). I just bought one for myself. If your parents enjoy this type of performances, buy a gift card for them and help them set it up.
When you don’t have an account with medici.tv, it asks you to create one during checkout but that account isn’t required to have an active subscription. You activate the gift card to get the subscription after you receive the gift card by email.
If you enjoy ballet, opera, jazz, and classical music performances, $75 brings tremendous value for one full year. It’s another example of the best things in life being nearly free.
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msf says
Kanopy is great. It seems that different libraries provide access to different sections of Kanopy. So even if you’ve entered one library card, it pays to enter others if you have them.
If you don’t have a library card that provides access to Kanopy or medici, you might be able to get one from a nearby library. Sometimes they are free if you live in the same state, even if you are not local to a community. Some other library cards can be purchased for an annual fee.
Jack says
This is great. I knew about Kanopy but not Medici.TV! I have added Hoopla to my Firestick and look forward to trying it out through my local library. Thanks so much.
Lori says
I assume checking out a BingePass in Hoopla counts towards your monthly limit (for libraries that have one)?
Harry Sit says
It does. The library I used has a limit of 10 items per month from Hoopla. A BingePass is good for 7 days. You’ll use up no more than 4 or 5 out of your limit if you check out a pass back to back.
Michael Clark says
My library has Hoopla, not Kanopy. I finally checked out Hoopla, and we do have access to Medici’s resources. Thanks for the push to check it out.
Scott Dichter says
2 for 2, Hoopla itself has some good viewing choices like 4 seasons of Wallander. The Finance Buff is certainly a value added subscription.