Rundel Video: Fra Diavolo | Media center

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Overture to the Opera
The French composer Daniel François Esprit Auber (1782-1871) was a successful composer and Director of the Paris Conservatoire. He also was appointed Musical Director of the Imperial Court Orchestra by Napoleon III in 1857. Auber’s music is spirited, appealing and he is widely considered the master of the French opéra comique. Auber’s opera “La muette de Portici” (“Masaniello”) is regarded a landmark of French grand opera, apart from its especial historic importance for what was to become the Kingdom of Belgium.

His most famous opera is “Fra Diavolo” (or “L’hôtellerie de Teracine”), and was first produced in Paris in January 1830. Drawing from his early success, Auber once again relied on the comical aspects of military life in the plot. The story centers on an historical Italian bandit, Michele Pezza, who masqueraded as a marquis and robbed tourists around Naples. In the opera, he is called 'Fra Diavolo'. The martial music at the beginning of the overture represents Lorenzo, a penniless officer of the dragoons tasked to catch the bandit. In the opera, 'Fra Diavolo' is shot, as his accomplices betrayed him.


Grade Level GB: 8+
Grade Level USA: 6 (Professional)
Composer: Auber, Daniel François
Arranger: Dunaev, Leontij
Genre: Classic, Classical Transcription, Concert Piece, Opera, Overture
Performance time: 00:08:50
Publisher: Rundel
Size: A4
Info: Full Score + Parts
Rundel Order Number: MVSR2411
Release Date: 2005