King Manfred (König Manfred), Op. 93 is a grand romantic opera in 5 acts by Carl Reinecke to libretto by Friedrich Roeber. It was composed in 1866 and staged in 1867.Preface by Christoph Schlüren, 2003 — Final paragraph by Bradford Robinson, 2007Klaus Tischendorf. Booklet notes to Marco Polo 8.223117 / Naxos 8.555397
History The music was composed from April to December 1866 in Leipzig, where Reinecke was already director of the Gewandhaus concerts and professor at the Leipzig Conservatory. The first performance took place at the Royal Court Theater of Wiesbaden on 26 July 1867 with Wilhelm Jahn as conductor. Although it was a huge success, the opera remained in repertoire only for a while (a printed libretto appeared as late as in 1881). The Overture and the Prelude to Act V were among Reinecke's most favorite compositions.
The full score of the opera was published by Breitkopf & Härtel in 1868, as well as the vocal score, prepared by composer himself. Several popular excerpts were published in different arrangements.
Roles RoleBased on 19th-century German librettoVoice typeCast at the premiereCharles of Anjou—King ManfredtenorHelen, his spousesopranoOctavianus, legate and cardinalbassFulcoApulian and Sicilian barons,banished by Manfredtenor IRuffotenor IIBorellobaritoneFasanellabaritoneAnnibaldibassGhismonda, a nunsopranoEckartbaritoneA pagemezzo-sopranoChorus: fishermen, male and female Saracens, banished people
Synopsis The opera deals with Manfred, 13th-century King of Sicily (1232-1266), against whom was half Europe: eventually he fell in battle against Charles I of Anjou. The action takes place in 1266 in Naples and Benevento.
List of musical numbers The following list is based on the Breitkopf & Härtel 1868 vocal score.
Overture Act I No. 1. Chor No. 2. No. 3. Arie mit Chor No. 4. Sextett mit Chor No. 5. Recitativ und Arie No. 6. Recitativ No. 7. Lied mit Chor No. 8. Recitativ und Terzett No. 9. Finale Act II No. 10. No. 11. Duett No. 12. Solo mit Chor No. 13. No. 14. Duett No. 15. Lied No. 16. Scene und Duett
Act III No. 17. Chor No. 18. Recitativ und Terzett No. 19. Chor und Ballett No. 20. Finale Act IV No. 21. Entr'act No. 22. Duett mit Ballett No. 23. Recitativ und Duett No. 24. Duett No. 25. Recitativ und Arie No. 26. Recitativ No. 27. Arie No. 28. Finale
Act V No. 29. Vorspiel No. 30. Recitativ No. 31. Romanze No. 32. Recitativ und Arie No. 33. Recitativ und Scene No. 34. Recitativ und Chor No. 35. Recitativ No. 36. Arioso und Schlusschor
Recordings (rec. 1987) Carl Reinecke: Symphony No. 1; King Manfred (Overture; Nos. 21 & 29; part II of No. 19) — Rhenish Philharmonic Orchestra, Alfred Walter — Marco Polo 8.223117 (reissued Naxos 8.555397) (rec. 2013, 2014, 2016) Carl Reinecke: Orchestral Works, Vol. 1: Symphonies 1 & 3; König Manfred (Overture; Nos. 21 & 29) — Münchner Rundfunkorchester, Henry Raudales — cpo 555 114-2
References
External links
19th-century German libretto An anonymous review of the first performance in: