Orlando paladino (Hob.XXVIII:11) (Vocal Score)

Haydn Orlando paladino (Hob.XXVIII:11) (Vocal Score)
Dramma eroicomico in three acts

On  6th December 1782  the “dramma eroicomico” Orlando Paladino was performed in Eszterháza, the favourite palace of the Hungarian prince Nikolaus von Eszterházy.  The music of the opera was supplied by the prince’s maestro di capella and opera director Joseph Haydn, the libretto by the theatre’s administrative supervisor Nunziato Porta.  Although Haydn’s setting was heard for the first time on that evening, the libretto had been used once before in slightly altered form.

Orlando Paladino, with music by the highly regarded Italian composer Pietro Guglielmi, had already been given in Prague and Vienna in the 1770s.  Originally Haydn may even have planned to mount a performance of Guglielmi’s opera.  This was thought inappropriate, however, once it became known in Eszterháza that the Russian Grand Duke and Duchess, initially expected in Vienna, intended to visit the prince.  It was important on this occasion to avoid performing a work that they may already have heard in the capital, and Haydn was therefore ordered to write a new opera.  As there was little time available, he decided to use his colleague’s text as the basis of the new opera, its relation to Guglielmi’s work being deemed unimportant.  However, the planned visit of the grand duke and duchess never came about, and the new opera received its première on Prince Nikolaus’s name day.

Haydn’s opera was very successful.  It was repeated thirteen times in Eszterháza in 1783  and another seven times in 1784 .  In German translation it began a triumphal march through the theatres of Central Europe.  In Haydn’s lifetime it was performed in more than twenty cities, including Prague, Vienna,  Budapest, Berlin, Leipzig, and Breslau.

- Based on the Urtext of the Complete Edition of “Joseph Haydn Werke ”, published by G. Henle Verlag

- Original Italian text, with German singing translation

- Editorial additions in cue-sized notes

- Detailed foreword (Ger/Eng)

- Full score & performance material available for hire (BA4663-72)