1DC50A6B-FDAF-4DFF-B8E9-A5A8A42A05FB

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ID1DC50A6B-FDAF-4DFF-B8E9-A5A8A42A05FB
TitlecodeA473502
Title NameMefistofele, IAB 1: Prologue in Heaven (complete)
Marketing CopyAfter the completion of his studies at the Milan Conservatory, Arrigo Boito (1842-1918) decided to compose his own operatic version of Goethe’s Faust. Perceiving what he saw to be artistic shortcomings in the Gounod opera, he wrote his own libretto after the manner of Richard Wagner. Inexperienced as a conductor, he took the podium for the premiere of MEFISTOFELE in Milan on March 5, 1868. The performance of the work with its daring chromaticism and sprawling length, over five hours long, was met with confusion and outrage. After only two performances, Boito withdrew to revise the work, drastically cutting it to two-thirds of its original length. The first performance of the revised version in Bologna in 1875 achieved for its composer a much belated success. Some small changes led to a final version which premiered in 1881. During the PROLOGUE IN HEAVEN, Mefistofele declares his intention to take Faust’s soul. His challenge is accepted by the angels. Vocal score.
InstrumentationMix Chorus: Children Chorus: Piano accomp.
Commission(not set)
Dedication(not set)
Program Notesadd
Title Brand1
Year Composed1868/1875
Copyright Number(not set)
Copyright Year(not set)
Duration25
Ensemble Size13
Date Created2025-01-28 20:13:16.000000
Date Updated2025-09-30 20:13:16
Inhouse Note(not set)
Bsc CodeMUS037070
Text AuthorItalian libretto by the composer after the poem by Goethe.
Premier Performance Memo(not set)
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Title Category6
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Set Series IDBFAB29D8-3614-467D-4922-08DB00B0FAFD
Title Instrument Category TextSerious Opera
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Title Sub Category40
Title Instrument Header38
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Clean Urlmefistofele-iab-1-prologue-in-heaven-a473502