Overture to "The Italian Girl in Algiers"

From Wind Repertory Project
Gioacchino Rossini

Gioacchino Rossini (arr. Lucien Cailliet)


This work is often referred to by its Italian title, L'italiana in Algeri.


General Info

Year: 1813 / 1953
Duration: c. 8:35
Difficulty: V (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Sam Fox
Cost: Score and Parts - Out of print.

For availability information, see Discussion tab, above.


Instrumentation

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

  • Bass Drum
  • Crash Cymbals
  • Snare Drum


Errata

In Parts:

  • Flute II in C. 1 meas. before reh. 6, beat 3: quarter rest should read half rest
  • Clarinet II. 5 and 6 meas. after reh. 21, beat 3: quarter note should read eighth note (corrected in a later printing)
  • B-flat Cornet II. 6 meas. after reh. 17, beat 1: F natural should read F sharp (score also)
  • String Bass. reh. 31, beat 1: A should read B-flat


Program Notes

The Dey of Algiers is bent on capturing the heart of Isabella, the beautiful Italian girl found on an abandoned vessel by the Dey's Captain of Corsairs. The Dey has a difficult problem ridding himself of his wife, Elvira, but he believes he has solved it by his plan to marry her off to Lindoro, Isabella's fiancé. Elvira, proving herself the wilier, manages to arrange the escape of Isabella and Lindoro from the Dey's domains and at the same time retain the affection of her unsuspecting spouse.

-Program Note from publisher


The Italian Girl in Algiers, an opera buffa, was the second of Rossini's works to achieve great success. It was produced in Venice in 1813. Like most of Rossini's operas it is no longer in the repertoire, but the sparkling melodies of the overture have made it a favorite on band and orchestra programs.

-Program Note from Program Notes for Band


L’italiana in Algeri (1813) was first produced in Venice. The opera is notable for Rossini’s mixing of opera seria style with opera buffa.

Although the complete opera is scarcely performed, the overture is still widely recorded and played. It is known for its distinct opening of slow, quiet woodwinds in imitation of pizzicato strings, leading to a sudden loud burst of sound from the full ensemble. This “surprise” reflects Rossini’s early admiration for Franz Joseph Haydn, whose Symphony No. 94 in G Major, “The Surprise Symphony,” is named for the same shocking, semi-comic effect.

- Program Note from University of North Texas Symphonic Band concert program, 9 February 2016


Media

(Needed - please join the WRP if you can help.)


State Ratings

  • Alabama: Class AA
  • Arkansas: V
  • Florida: V
  • Georgia: VI
  • Kansas: V
  • Louisiana: V
  • Maryland: V
  • Michigan: Senior High AA
  • Minnesota: I
  • Mississippi: VI-A
  • New York: Concert Band VI
  • North Carolina: VI
  • Oklahoma: V-A
  • South Carolina: VI
  • Texas: V. Complete
  • Virginia: VI


Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

  • Vassar College and Community Wind Ensemble (Poughkeepsie, N.Y.) (James Osborn, conductor) - 12 November 2023
  • Shenandoah Conservatory (Winchester, Va.) Concert Band (Keith Taylor, conductor) - 7 May 2022
  • New Jersey Wind Symphony (Ocean Grove) (Christian Wilhjelm, conductor) - 1 July 2021
  • Clark College (Vancouver, Wash.) Concert Band (Doug Harris, conductor) – 13 March 2020
  • University of Nebraska Lincoln Wind Ensemble (Carolyn Barber, conductor) – 26 January 2020
  • Texas A&M University (Lubbock) Symphonic Band (Russell Tipton, conductor) – 13 October 2019
  • The Ohio State University (Columbus) Wind Symphony (Brett Levine, conductor) – 19 April 2019
  • Callanwolde Concert Band (Atlanta,Ga.) (Glenn Moore, conductor) – 31 March 2019
  • University of Wisconsin-Parkside Wind Ensemble (Laura Rexroth, conductor) – 18 October 2018
  • University of Illinois (Champaign) University Concert Band (Will Sugg, conductor)
  • Florida International University (Miami) Symphonic Band (Barry Bernhardt, conductor) - 1 March 2018
  • Parkland College (Champaign, Ill.) Wind Ensemble (Jonathan Beckett, conductor) - 2 March 2016
  • Lockport Township (Ill.) High School Wind Symphony (Brian Covey, conductor) – 26 February 2016 (CBDNA 2016 North Central Division Conference, Ames, Iowa)
  • University of North Texas (Denton) Symphony Band (Dennis W. Fisher, conductor) – 9 February 2016
  • Metropolitan Wind Symphony (Boston, Mass.) (Chris Wilhjelm, conductor) – 1 November 2015
  • Ohlone Wind Symphony (Fremont, Calif.) (Tony Clements, conductor) – 18 October 2015
  • Phoenix (N.Y.) Community Band (David Frateschi, conductor) - 3 November 2014
  • Pacific Music Institute (Hawaii) Concert Band (Henry Miyamura, conductor) - 22 July 2012


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