Prinzessin Brambilla

Prinzessin Brambilla (Princess Brambilla), Op. 12b is an opera in a prologue and five scenes by Walter Braunfels. The libretto, written by the composer, is based on the novella of the same name by E.T.A. Hoffmann published in 1820.

Composition history

Braunfels began the composition in 1906 and completed the original two-act version in 1908. He revised the opera in 1929/1930. The second version consists of a prologue and five scenes separated by orchestral interludes. The score of this revised version is published by Universal Edition AG Vienna .[1]

Performance history

The opera was first performed in its original two-act version on 25 March 1909 at the Staatstheater Stuttgart with Max von Schillings conducting.[1]

Roles

Role[1] Voice type[1] Premiere Cast[2]
25 March 1909
(Conductor: Max von Schillings)
Pantalone baritone
Prince Bastaniello di Pistoja baritone Reinhold Fritz
Claudio, an actor tenor
Giazinta, a young seamstress soprano
Barbara, Giazinta's old friend contralto
Gascon, a nobleman, Claudio's friend tenor
Brutz, Claudio's drinking companion bass
Buffel, Claudio's drinking companion tenor
Cuniberto, the landlord bass
A young girl soprano

Recordings

In 2005 Marco Polo released a live recording, made during the October 2004 Wexford Festival Opera production run, with Daniele Belardinelli conducting the Cracow Philharmonic Orchestra. The principal roles were sung by Enrico Marabelli (Pantalone), Peter Paul (Prince Bastaniello), Eric Shaw (Claudio) and Elena Lo Forte (Giazinta).[3]

Notes

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 "Walter Braunfels - Prinzessin Brambilla - Fantasiestück in 1 Prolog und 5 Bildern - op. 12b - revised version 1929/1930". Universal Edition AG Vienna. Retrieved 23 August 2010.
  2. "Musical events 25 March 1909" (in Italian). AmadeusOnline. Retrieved 23 August 2010.
  3. David Gutman (March 2006). "Review - Braunfels - Prinzessin Brambilla". Gramophone. Retrieved 23 August 2010.