Music to Soliman second, ou Les Trois Sultanes : Comédie (Laxenburg 1765)
The critical edition presents the music to the verse comedy “Soliman second, ou Les Trois Sultanes” by Charles-Simon Favart (1710–1792), which was performed before the Viennese courtly audience in the Schlosstheater Laxenburg bythe French troupe of the Burgtheater on 18 May 1765. This is the first time that Gluck’s music to the Favartian comedy has appeared in print.A popular comedy which in particular was known for its exotic colour, “Solimansecond” quickly made its mark on many European stages. Through the good offices of the court theatre director Count Durazzo, the libretto made its way to Vienna too. As “Direttore della Musica” at Vienna’s Burgtheater and anaccomplished writer of French opéras-comiques, Gluck may have been commissioned to compose the vocal numbers – four solo airs and a duet – which were meant to be performed in the comedy. As far as can be established, Gluck’sinvolvement in incidental music is an exception in his artistic output.In addition to the detailed introduction to the history of the work, the volume contains the Critical Report providing exhaustive information on the sourcematerial, editorial technique and performance practice. The libretto for the premiere performance and illustrative extracts from the sources are reproduced in facsimile.
