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 reductionEdition no.: BA 8793-90ISMN: 9790006533121Composer / Author: Monteverdi, ClaudioTitle: L'Orfeo Favola in musica in one prologue and five actsDetailed instrumentation: Soprano solo (7), Tenor solo (4), Bass solo (3), Mixed choir: SSATTB, Male choir: TTBBB, OrchestraLibrettist: Striggio, Alessandro (junior)Editor: Alessandrini, RinaldoForeword / Introduction: Alessandrini, RinaldoProduct format: Piano reduction, Urtext editionLanguage(s) of work: ItalianLanguage(s) of text: German, Italian, EnglishPublisher: BärenreiterBinding: PaperbackPrint run: 1st printing 2012Pages / Format: XIV, 143 S. - 27,0 x 19,0 cmWeight: 428 g

Wagner completed the first version of the opera in 1845 during his tenure as Kapellmeister at the royal court of Dresden but he continued to redraft and revise it for the rest of his life. The setting is medieval Germany: the minstrel Tannhauser has fallen into sin with the goddess Venus but after a year in a moment of realisation he demands to leave. He finds himself near his home and is reunited with Elisabeth a girl he once loved. Elisabeth's uncle the landgrave organises a singing competition between Tannhauser and Wolfram who also loves her. Wolfram's song is simple and moving while Tannhauser confused by Venus outrages the audience by singing of profane love.He is banished to Rome on a pilgrimage to seek redemption and Elisabeth follows him with Wolfram. After much searching she gives up and dies just missing Tannhauser who Wolfram discovers creeping back to Venus the Pope having said that it was as impossible for him to be forgiven as for his staff to sprout flowers. Tannhauser sees Elisabeth and casts himself to die by her coffin and the Pope's staff bursts into bloom. This is the Schirmer edition of the Vocal Score edited and translated into English by Natalia MacFarren.

Puccini's 'La Boheme' is based on Henri Murger's novel 'Scènes de la vie de bohème' which draws it's inspiration from the Bohemian lifestyle which was somewhat in vogue in Paris at the time. This Libretto by Giuseppe Giacosa andLuigi Illica runs as follows:Rodolfo's neighbour in his garret Mimi knocks at the door saying her candle has gone out on the stairs. Rodolfo and Mimi sit in the dark talking and fall for each other. They go to meetRodolfo's friends. While there Marcello's former lover Musetta arrives with her new husband Alcindoro but distracting him falls into Marcello's arms. Some time later Mimì pours out her distress to Marcello over Rodolfo'sincessant jealousy Rodolfo is actually concerned about Mimi's poor health and wants to part with her. On realising this the two decide to stay together until spring Marcello and Musetta meanwhile part when she isunfaithful.Some months later Rodolfo Marcello and friends are amusing themselves in the garret when Musetta bursts in saying Mimi is downstairs and has begged to be taken to her lover to die. She dies almost happily recalling their early love.

5-act restauration with notations for an alternative 4-act version-Don Carlos which debuted in 1867 ranks among the composer's most complex and challenging works. Based on the verse play by Schiller about tragic love and intrigue at the court of Philip II of Spain the opera features a rich assortment of memorable characters and dramatic situations. Verdi revised the work twice incorporating his changing musical ideas into a thoroughly revised Italian translation of the five act work with optional cuts for a four-act version. This new edition is of the final version reprinted from the authoritative G.Ricordi edition.

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.

The libretto for Giuseppe Verdi's 'Rigoletto' was adapted by Francesco Maria Piave from Victor Hugo's play Le roi s'amuse which was so controversial it had been banned in Paris after one performance. Le roi here isthe Duke a renowned womaniser who seduces ladies as their husbands are taunted by his hunchback jester Rigoletto. An elderly nobleman Monterone curses them both for seducing his daughter and Ceprano whose wife has been withthe Duke plots with the courtiers to punish him.Rigoletto is suspected of keeping a mistress so while Rigoletto is out the Duke slips into his house and finding Rigolettoâ??s daughter Gilda he proffers his love to herand she is smitten. After he leaves the courtiers break in and carry off Gilda to the Dukeâ??s bedchamber. Soon Rigoletto enters and realises the mistake just in time as the dishevelled Gilda runs in. As Monterone is led to thedungeon Rigoletto vows to avenge them both. Rigoletto pays the assassin Sparafucile to murder the Duke as his sister Maddalena flirts with him. However Maddalena persuades her brother to kill not the Duke but the nextvisitor to the inn instead so overhearing and resolving to sacrifice herself for the Duke Gilda enters the inn and is stabbed. Rigoletto finds Gilda dying and begging forgiveness: Monterone's curse is fulfilled.This isthe Schirmer edition of the Libretto in the original Italian with an English version by Ruth and Thomas Martin.

For Soprano Saxophone and Piano accompaniment.'Peter Abelard was a medieval philosopher poet and musician born in France in 1079. He taught at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris lodging with Canon Fulbert whoadmired his work. In time he also became tutor to Fulbert's beautiful seventeen-yearoldniece Helo se.Abelard and Helo se began a passionate love affair (Dance of Peter and Helo se) which resulted in a son Astrolabe.For the sake of Abelard's position they married secretly and Canon Fulbert waspresent at their marriage. But Fulbert later reacted furiously to news that Abelard hadsent Helo se to a convent believing that hehad abandoned her in favour of his owncareer. In revenge he had Abelard castrated (Revenge of Canon Fulbert).After his mutilation Abelard became a monk and he and Helo se remained constantcorrespondents for theremainder of his life. He composed a hymnbook for Helo se who by then was Abbess of the convent of the Paraclete. Among the hymns was avisionary poem of the New Jerusalem set to a beautiful melody in the Dorian mode O QuantaQualia.On his death in 1142 his remains were taken to the Paraclete at Helo se's request andher body was later laid to rest in the same tomb. Finally their remains were taken toParis and in 1817 they were buriedtogether in one sepulchre (In Paradisum).Peter Abelard documented much of his own story in a number of writings includingthe Historia Calamitatum Mearum (The story of mytroubles).'             - James Whitbourn