Composer C.F.E. Horneman
Instrumentation 3.2.2.3/4.2.3.1/timp/perc/arp/archi + 13 solo singers, choir (SATB) & dancers
Category Music Drama and Stage Music
Publication year 2020
Catalogue no. DCM.031
Aladdin
(1888)
(1888)
Composer C.F.E. Horneman
Instrumentation 3.2.2.3/4.2.3.1/timp/perc/arp/archi + 13 solo singers, choir (SATB) & dancers
Category Music Drama and Stage Music
Publication year 2020
Catalogue no. DCM.031
C.F.E. Horneman’s fairy-tale opera, Aladdin (1888), stands as a significant work in the series of Danish operas, although it has only been performed very few times since its staging at The Royal Theatre during the season 1902–03. The nature of the source ma- terial has been a major obstacle for performing the opera in recent times: Horneman’s manuscript score contains so many correc- tions and changes – not to mention the appendices of added and cancelled folios – that it is not suitable for use. In addition, the physical condition of the material was critical by now as the paper almost crumbled by handling. Donations made it possible for the Royal Danish Library’s conservation department to carry out a thorough restoration of the manuscript in 2011, so that it could be digitized and studied for the editorial work. The Royal Theatre’s transcript of the score, used in connection with the performances in 1902–03, does not include the Overture and, furthermore, contains an overwhelming number of transcription errors. The orchestral material used for the occasion – just as the autograph score – is in such a fragile condition that it cannot withstand use any longer. Thus, there has long been a lack of accessible and revised performance material. With DCM’s critical edition, which comprises score, piano-vocal score and orchestral parts, the situation has been remedied.
The opera was originally published by the Danish Centre for Music Publication of the Royal Library, now available as part of Edition·S’ DCM (Danish Classical Music) series.