Hans Werner Henze (1926-2012)

Orpheus (1978)

story in six scenes (two acts) for narrator and orchestra

  • General information
    • Composition date: 1978
    • Duration: 1 h 10 mn
    • Publisher: Schott
    • Libretto (details, author):

      Edward Bond (traduction allemande : Hans-Ulrich Treichel)

Detailed formation
  • soloist: 1 narrator
  • 2 flutes (also 2 piccolos, 1 alto flute, 1 bass flute [amplifiée] ), 3 recorders [sur scène] (also 1 sistrum, 1 finger cymbals, 7 other accessories), 4 oboes [dont 1 derrière la scène] (also 3 English horns [dont 1 derrière la scène] , 1 oboe d'amore, 2 heckelphones [dont 1 derrière la scène] ), 2 clarinets (also 1 Eb clarinet, 1 bass clarinet, 1 contrabass clarinet), 2 soprano saxophones [dont 1 derrière la scène] (also 1 alto saxophone, 1 tenor saxophone, 1 baritone saxophone, 1 bass saxophone), 2 bassoons (also 1 contrabassoon), 6 horns, 3 trumpets, 3 trombones, 1 tuba, 7 percussionists [dont 1 derrière la scène, 1 dessous et 1 sur la scène] , 2 harp [dont 1 derrière la scène] , 2 guitars [dont 1 derrière la scène] , 1 piano, 1 harpsichord, 1 celesta, 1 organ, 9 violins, 4 violas, 4 cellos, 3 double basses

Premiere information

  • Date: 4 March 1983
    Location:

    Cologne


    Performers:

    Thomas Holzman : récitant, Kölner Rundfunk-Sinfonie-Orchester, direction : Hans Werner Henze.