Monteverdi’s opera “L’Orfeo”, based on the legend of Thracian singer Orpheus and his love of Eurydice, is a masterpiece of musical declamation and ornamentation. It was first performed during the 1607 carnevale in the “Palazzo Ducale” in Mantua. When an edition remains true to its sources, this certainly does not mean that it is not also practical to use, as is demonstrated in this Bärenreiter edition of Monteverdi’s “L’Orfeo”. Edited by Rinaldo Alessandrini, the new publication follows the Bärenreiter edition of Monteverdi’s “Il ritorno d’Ulisse in patria”. Two contemporary prints of “L’Orfeo” from the years 1609 and 1615 have been passed down to us. Four copies of each of these prints still survive today in public libraries. The later print includes many corrections to the earlier edition and was accordingly used as the primary source for this Bärenreiter edition. However, when solving musical problems the editor frequently follows the more coherent style of the earlier print. The numerous interesting variants, not only between the two editions but also amongst the eight surviving copies, are listed in the critical commentary. This edition of “L’Orfeo” offers in addition to Monteverdi’s somewhat sparse original figures also figures added to the bass line by the editor. The continuo player should, however, feel free to follow his own judgment. The notation has been, when necessary, adapted to suit modern practice, for example with regard to the clefs. The sections that were originally written in “chiavetta” have been transposed a fifth lower. In the appendix these sections also appear in their original notation in facsimile as well as transposed a fourth lower. - Detailed introduction by the editor (Ital/Eng/Ger) on the work’s genesis and performance practice - Comprehensive critical commentary (Eng) in the score - Idiomatic piano reduction Edition no.: BA 8793-90 ISMN: 9790006533121 Composer / Author: Monteverdi, Claudio Title: L'Orfeo Favola in musica in one prologue and five acts Detailed instrumentation: Soprano solo (7), Tenor solo (4), Bass solo (3), Mixed choir: SSATTB, Male choir: TTBBB, Orchestra Librettist: Striggio, Alessandro (junior) Editor: Alessandrini, Rinaldo Foreword / Introduction: Alessandrini, Rinaldo Product format: Piano reduction, Urtext edition Language(s) of work: Italian Language(s) of text: German, Italian, English Publisher: Bärenreiter Binding: Paperback Print run: 1st printing 2012 Pages / Format: XIV, 143 S. - 27,0 x 19,0 cm Weight: 428 g

This new Opera was first performed in 1998 in Huddersfield by Opera North. Designed for the modern stage it utilises only a small cast and orchestra albeit one with a good variety of percussion! The libretto is adapted by thecomposer from the play ‘The Love of Don Pemperlin for Belisa in the Garden’ by Feredico Garcia Lorca translated into English by David Johnston. The plot revolves around the ill-fated marriage of Don Pemperlin an ageing bachelorand his beautiful neighbour Belisa which was suggested by Pemperlin’s maid. Tricks and misunderstandings abound and because of them Pemperlin ends by stabbing himself and dying even as Belisa proclaims her love for him.

Giuseppe Verdi's Il Trovatore was based on a play by Gutierrez adapted by Salvtor Cammerano. Although the critics may complain about its lack of subtlety - it is filled with exactly the kinds of twists and unlikely coincidences that form the modern jokey stereotype of opera - 'Il Trovatore' will always be an audience favorite because of its wealth of great music. Verdi was stirred to the height of his inspiration by this work and from its premiere it was an even greater success than its predecessor 'Rigoletto'. The importance of Verdi's 'Il Trovatore' lies in its music; it displays some of the most ingratiating and beautiful melodies he ever wrote. This edition ofthe Vocal Score is in Italian with an English translation by Natasha McFarren and an essay by E. Irenaeus Stevenson.