Rosamunde, Fürstin von Cypern D 797

On 20 December 1823 Helmina von Chézy’s “great romantic drama” “Rosamunde” received its premiere performance at Vienna’s Theater an der Wien. Unfortunately this version of the drama with ghosts, shipwreck, pirates, attempted poisoning and other horrifying ingredients has not survived – unlike Schubert’s popular incidental music which was already praised by contemporary critics. Special acknowledgment was given to “the genius of this much-loved master”, and as evidence of its popularity, the overture and the “Hunters’ Chorus” had to be played again.

Now Bärenreiter is issuing one of Schubert’s best-known compositions in a complete vocal score.

The appendix includes Chézy’s draft to the play “Rosamunde” and a reconstruction of the first version of this drama.