Claudio Monteverdis Orfeo, premiered in February 1607, is the oldest opera still in repertoire today. The work fell into oblivion for more than three centuries, and it was only in 1927 that the first printed score was reprinted in a facsimile edition. But while the score gave fairly clear directions to vocalists, it lacked specificity in notating the instrumental parts, leaving many vital choices, including what instruments to use, up to the performers. A number of late-Romantic versions followed, but it was only in 1943 that Paul Hindemith published his thoroughly researched score which attempted to reconstruct the style and instrumentation of Monteverdi's first performance.
9 La Favola D'orfeo, Opera, SV 318: Act 4. O Degli Abitator
10 La Favola D'orfeo, Opera, SV 318: Act 4. Pietade Oggi Ed Amore
11 La Favola D'orfeo, Opera, SV 318: Act 4. Ritornello. Qual Honor Di Te
12 La Favola D'orfeo, Opera, SV 318: Act 4. Ahi, Vista Troppo Dolce
13 La Favola D'orfeo, Opera, SV 318: Act 4. Sinfonia
14 La Favola D'orfeo, Opera, SV 318: Act 5. Ritornello
15 La Favola D'orfeo, Opera, SV 318: Act 5. Sinfonia
16 La Favola D'orfeo, Opera, SV 318: Act 5. Ritornello
17 La Favola D'orfeo, Opera, SV 318: Act 5. Moresca
Claudio Monteverdis Orfeo, premiered in February 1607, is the oldest opera still in repertoire today. The work fell into oblivion for more than three centuries, and it was only in 1927 that the first printed score was reprinted in a facsimile edition. But while the score gave fairly clear directions to vocalists, it lacked specificity in notating the instrumental parts, leaving many vital choices, including what instruments to use, up to the performers. A number of late-Romantic versions followed, but it was only in 1943 that Paul Hindemith published his thoroughly researched score which attempted to reconstruct the style and instrumentation of Monteverdi's first performance.
