Appendix D.
Reading edition
List of Instruments used in the Orchestras of Composers of different periods of Opera.
1. The first real Italian opera, Euridice, by Peri (1600)—
1 Chitarone 1 Viol di Gamba
1 Lira Grande 1 Theorbo
3 Flutes
2. Monteverde’s Orfeo (1608)—
2 Gravicembali (Clavicembali) 3 Bassi da Gamba
2 Contrabassi da Viola 4 Tromboni
10 Viole di Brazzo 2 Cornetti
1 Arpa Doppia 1 Flautino (Flageolet)
2 Violini Piccioli alla Francese 1 Clarino (Soprano Trumpet)
2 Chitarroni 3 Trombe Sordini (Muted Trumpets)
2 Organo di Legno 1 Regal
Except for the smaller number of strings this orchestra is pretty well as large as a modern full operatic orchestra, but its constitution and effect are absolutely different, and of course in the present day hardly producible. The gambas were used to accompany Orpheus, the violas Euridice, the guitars Charon, the organs Apollo, and the trombones Plato.
3. Gluck’s Alceste (1767)—
2 Flauti Traversi 2 Corni 2 Fagotti
2 Oboe 3 Tromboni 2 Trombe
Strings
This, of course, is an approximation to the modern orchestra, but we must notice the absence of clarionets and percussion instruments.
4. Mozart’s Figaro (1786)—
2 Flutes 2 Bassoons Tympani
2 Oboes 2 Horns Strings
2 Clarionets 2 Trumpets
This is the ordinary orchestra of the “classical period” of music.
5. Weber’s Oberon (1826)—
The same orchestra as Mozart’s, with the addition of anotherp air of horns and of three trombones.
6. Rossini’s William Tell (Overture), 1829—
1 Piccolo 4 Horns Timpani
2 Flutes 2 Bassoons Cymbals
2 Oboes (Cor Anglais) 2 Trumpets Triangle
2 Clarionets 3 Trombones Big Drum
Strings (with 5 solo Celli)
7. Meyerbeer, Les Huguenots (1836)—
2 Flutes (Piccolos) 4 Horns Drums
2 Oboes 3 Trombones Bell
Cor Anglais Ophicleide Harp
2 Clarionets 2 Cornets Bass Drum and Cymbals
2 Bassoons 2 Trumpets Strings
8. Wagner, Tannhäuser (1845)—
3 Flutes 2 Oboes 1 Bass Clarionet
(one changing to Piccolo) 2 Clarionets 2 Bassoons
2 Ventil Horns 1 Tuba Tambourine
2 Hand Horns 1 Pair Tympani Grosse Trommel
3 Trumpets Triangle Harp
3 Trombones Cymbals Strings
And in addition, upon the stage—
1 Cor Anglais 12 Horns
2 Piccolos 12 Trumpets
4 Flutes 4 Trombones
4 Oboes Triangle
6 Clarionets Cymbals
6 Bassoons Tambourine
9. Wagner, Walküre (1856), performed 1870—
16 First Violins 2 Tenor Tubas
16 Second Violins 2 Bass Tubas
12 Violas 1 Contra Bass Tuba
12 Violoncellos 3 Trumpets
8 Double Basses 1 Bass Trumpet
3 Flutes 3 Trombones
1 Piccolo 1 Contra Bass Trombone
3 Oboes 2 Pairs Drums
1 Cor Anglais 1 Triangle
3 Clarionets 1 Pair Cymbals
1 Bass Clarionet 1 Rührtrommel
3 Bassoons 1 Glockenspiel
8 Horns 6 Harps
10. Wagner, Parsifal (Prelude), 1882—
3 Flutes 1 Double Bassoon
3 Oboes 4 Horns
Cor Anglais 3 Trumpets
3 Clarionets 3 Trombones
1 Bass Clarionet 1 Bass Tuba
3 Bassoons Drums
Strings