Don Carlos, Ballet de la Reine (McAlister)

Description

Verdi’s operas are most often represented in the concert hall by their overtures or ‘sinfonias’  with very good reason. A number of them are symphonic gems in their own right. The operas he composed for the Paris stage give us another view of his orchestral virtuosity with their sumptuous ballet scores. The Ballet de la Reine (La Peregrina) was given its premiere in the world premiere of the opera Don Carlos in Paris by the Théâtre Impérial de l’Opéra in the Salle Le Peletier in March 11, 1867 under the baton of Francois George-Hainl. The ballet, which was staged during Act III, was originally choreographed by Lucien Petipa, the brother of the renowned Marius Petipa. This is a newly edited and engraved score prepared by Clark McAlister in consultation with the available authoritative sources.