The database is a contemporary, reliable and extensive reference work on artists. It contains authoritative, up-to-date biographical information on more than 1 million artists. The database offers biographies in full text from A to Z. The extended scope is due to the incorporation of the renowned Thieme-Becker/Vollmer1 encyclopedia, the Nürnberger Künstlerlexikon and the Lexikon der Künstlerinnen into the database.

The RISM database references mostly historical music manuscripts, the majority of them originated before 1800. - The original sources are available from the libraries, music archives, and private collections as indicated in the RISM database. These institutions can often be approached for reproductions. - About 700,000 entries (June 2010). -- Die RISM-Datenbank weist hin auf vor allem historische handschriftliche Noten, die Mehrzahl davon entstanden vor 1800. - Die Originale können in den angegebenen Bibliotheken, Musikarchiven oder Privatsammlungen eingesehen werden. Dort können oft auch Reproduktionen herstellen gelassen werden. - Ca. 700.000 Einträge (Juni 2010).