Improvisator, The

From Wind Repertory Project
Eugen d'Albert

Eugen d'Albert (trans. Mark Hindsley)


Subtitle: Overture


General Info

Year: 1902 / 1953 / 1978
Duration: c. 4:50
Difficulty: V (see Ratings for explanation)
Original Medium: Orchestra
Publisher: Hindsley Transcriptions
Cost: Score and Parts (print) - $76.00   |   Score Only (print) - $18.00


Instrumentation

Full Score
C Piccolo (2 players)
Flute I-II
Oboe I-II
English Horn
Bassoon I-II
B-flat Soprano Clarinet I-II-III
B-flat Bass Clarinet
B-flat Contrabass Clarinet
E-flat Alto Saxophone I-II
B-flat Tenor Saxophone
E-flat Baritone Saxophone
B-flat Cornet I-II-III
B-flat Trumpet I-II
Horn in F I-II-III-IV
Trombone I-II-III
Euphonium
Tuba
String Bass
Harp
Timpani
Percussion, including:

  • Bass Drum
  • Snare Drum
  • Tambourine
  • Triangle


Errata

None discovered thus far.


Program Notes

D'Albert's historic-romantic three-act opera Der Improvisator, received its premiere performance in Berlin on 26 February 1902.

Set in 1540, Padua is groaning under the yoke of the foreign rule of the Venetians. The pressure on the doge, who has been installed by Venice, is growing. Malepieri, the ‘tyrant of Padua and slave of Venice’, senses that he is in danger of becoming a victim of his own system which is controlled by spies and denouncers.

When troubles arise during the carnival festivities, he orders the arrest of Cassio Belloni, a popular singer famous for his art of improvisation, whom he suspects to be the instigator of a conspiracy. In fact, however, Cassio is the son of the rightful doge of Padua and has returned from exile. Secretly he has been preparing the recapture of the city. In prison, two fellow prisoners, who turn out to be Venetian spies, tell him that the ‘Council of Ten’ in Venice has already sentenced Malepieri to death. Cassio is released through the petition of mercy submitted by Silvia, the doge’s daughter. When, shortly after, the rebellion against the Venetian occupiers breaks out, he manages to protect Malepieri and Silvia from the Venetian catchpoles and the people of Padua who are crying for revenge. He shows mercy and, having become the new doge of Padua, marries Silvia amidst the rejoicing of the people.

- Program Note from Boosey & Hawkes


Media


State Ratings

  • Arkansas: V
  • Florida: V
  • Georgia: VI
  • North Carolina: VI
  • South Carolina: V
  • Tennessee: V
  • Virginia: V


Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

  • Elmhurst (Ill.) University Wind Ensemble (James Hile, conductor) - 17 October 2021


Works for Winds by This Composer


Resources