Rosamunde Overture

Schubert composed his incidental music to the Romantic drama Rosamunde, Princess of Cypress in less than three weeks, finishing just two days before the play’s premiere in December of 1823. Not much time was left to rehearse the music, and no time at all to compose an overture. In fact, Schubert never did compose an overture to Rosamunde, but instead used an overture already composed for the drama The Magic Harp. While Rosamunde survived for only two performances, Schubert’s charming music lives on. Festive and lyrical themes abound in this very playable arrangement that has been carefully crafted to preserve the sound of the original. A great way to introduce your students to one of the early Romantic period’s great masters!