in Full score. Par WAGNER RICHARD. Richard Wagner put his supreme effort, as well as his earnings, into constructing the perfect festival theater in the Bavarian town of Bayreuth where his masterpiece, the four-opera cycle Der Ring des Nibelungen, could be performed in a manner which would conform to his vision of how the drama should unfold. Wagner's own perception was that the unique and revolutionary character of his monumental tetralogy necessitated a special theater — one where the difficulties of staging an expansive drama could be surmounted, where changes of scene could be effected without halting the performance for vast lengths of time. Der Ring des Nibelungen, which is based on a medieval German epic, the Nibelungenlied, and Norse mythology, enlarged the expressive powers of German Romantic opera; today it also gives testimony to Wagner's willingness to venture into new areas for inspirational material. The third opera of the cycle, Siegfried, reproduced here in full score, presents the story of a youthful Germanic hero of legendary proportions, a young man without experience of fear, who slays the reptilian hoarder of ill-gotten, powerful golden treasures and rescues a banished goddess from fiery captivity. Performed during the heyday of Bismarck's Realpolitik, following decades of revolutionary and anarchic fervor, Siegfried is reputed to have social and political implications. In The Perfect Wagnerite, George Bernard Shaw discusses the opera in allegorical terms, and describes the heroic Siegfried as 'a born anarchist, the ideal of Bakoonin, an anticipation of the 'overman' of Nietzsche. ' Whether or not the political import of Richard Wagner's alleged revolutionary thought is of concern to the music lover of modern times, the influence and power of the operas of Der Ring des Nibelungen are indisputable. The crowning achievement of German music of the Romantic era, the Ring forged a new synthesis of music and drama on the largest scale, drawing on rich literary and philosophical resources to expand the dramatic possibilities of the opera as a musical form. Reproduced from the first edition (1876), which received Wagner's final approval, this full-size full score brings Siegfried, an important opera in the Ring and one of the most performed, recorded, studied, and admired operas of the Romantic era, to Wagner enthusiasts, opera lovers, and musicians at a moderate, affordable price. Reproduced from first 1876 edition. The third Ring opera, 'Siegfried' is here carefully reproduced from the authoritative edition of 1876 which Wagner himself approved. / Opéra-opérette / Répertoire / Opéra Full Score

in Full Score. Par WEBER CARL MARIA VON. First performed in Berlin in 1821, Der Freischütz is recognized as the wellspring of German Romantic opera. It was immensely influential in subject matter, atmosphere, orchestration, and other aspects on all later German operatic writing, and it is still quite popular. The composition of Der Freischütz occupied Weber for an unusually long time. He started in July 1819 and did not complete the work until May 1880. Based on the short story 'Der Freischütz' in the Gespensterbuch (Book of Ghosts) by August Apel and Friedrich Laun, its highly romantic aspects include a dark, mysterious forest setting, populated by lusty huntsmen and abounding in evil and magical overtones. This edition reproduces the full orchestral score in a clear, modern engraving for easy reading and study, with large legible notation. Do not confuse this with a piano rendering; it is a full orchestral score. In addition to its obvious uses for study, this score is also indispensable for anyone listening to recordings. In no other manner can the listener keep full awareness of the orchestral richness of this opera. The complete German text, including all spoken dialogue, accompanies the music. Full score edition. Includes full spoken text. Dover reproduction of Peters Edition. / Opéra-opérette / Répertoire / Opéra Full Score

Par VERDI GIUSEPPE. One of Verdi's most popular opera, La Traviata is based on La Dame aux Camélias ('Camille'), the novel and play by Alexandre Dumas, fils that enthralled Parisian audiences of the 1850s with a stirring portrayal of a beautiful courtesan redeemed by love. With his librettist, Francesco Maria Piave, Verdi transformed the Dumas story of a passionate, ultimately poignant love affair within the intoxicating demimonde of Paris in the mid-1800s to an exciting, deeply moving musical drama. La Traviata fortunately survived its dismal first production in Venice in 1853 to become a worldwide favorite, treasured by musical artists and audiences alike for the lyric beauty of its arias and ensembles, and for the dramatic force and finesse of its orchestral scoring. This full-score edition, designed to provide a lifetime of study and enjoyment, is reproduced from the authoritative edition prepared for G. Ricordi of Milan. It will afford opera lovers a rare opportunity to study intimately Verdi's genius for operatic composition in the early years of its greatest flowering. Reprinted from the authoritative edition prepared by G. Ricordi, Milan. One of his most popular operas from the 1850s. / Opéra-opérette / Répertoire / Opéra Full Score

Par HAENDEL GEORG FRIEDRICH. G F Handel (1685-1759) was a German-born British composer and organist who spent his life working in London. He is credited with popularising opera in Britain, both importing Italian works, and composing his own. Giulio Cesare was composed in 1723-4 and first performed at the King's Theatre, Haymarket, London in February 1724. It remains today one of the most popular of Handel's Italian language operas, enjoyed for its many gorgeous melodies, inspired orchestration and exciting plot. Musicians, scholars and music lovers will welcome this handsome reprint of the full score of Giulio Cesare, reproduced complete andunabridged from the definitive Deutsche Handelgesellschaft edition./ Répertoire / Opéra Full Score

in Full Score . Par WAGNER RICHARD. Peters full score edition of Wagner's magnificent opera. Introduction in English with original full score in German. Peters full score edition of Wagner's magnificent opera. Introduction in English with original full score in German. / Opéra-opérette / Répertoire / Opéra Full Score

Par MOZART WOLFGANG AMADEUS. The Requiem was Mozart's final composition. It was commissioned by the widow of the Countess von Walsegg who died in February 1791. After working on the Requiem through October and November, however, Mozart fell ill and died without completing it. Mozart's widow, needing money, asked Joseph Eybler to complete the work. Unfortunately, he could not finish the work, and it was handed over to Franz Xaver Sussmayr. However, Sussmayr was a musician of limited capabilities and much of his contribution was in fact a copy of Eybler's work./ Répertoire / Opéra Full Score