T8

Nicolai, Les Joyeuses Commères de Windsor

opéra-comique en trois actes

orchestration
Original work: Otto Nicolai (1810–49), Die lustigen Weiber von Windsor, comic opera in three acts, first played in Berlin on 9-3-1849. A revival at the Théâtre-Lyrique was announced in 1863, but it did not take place until 25-5-1866. It may have been produced in Bordeaux in 1864.
Transcription: As early as 1862 Bizet was evidently engaged by Choudens to orchestrate or re-orchestrate some scenes of the opera. The performance did not take place for over three years, and whether or not Bizet’s work was required is not known. Curtiss states that Bizet also arranged the Choudens vocal score printed in 1863, pl. no. A.C. 934; it is certainly possible, but no arranger is named in the score.
Autograph score: not known
Letter:
autumn 1862, Bizet to Choudens:
'Je ne vous parle pas des Joyeuses Commères pour lesquelles j’ai écrit plus de 60 pages d’orchestre; ce qui semblerait peu payé au prix de 100 [fr.]'
copy at F-Po
Bibliography: