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The story of opera

Chapter 26: Appendix D.
By E. Markham Lee
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About This Book

A concise historical and practical survey that defines opera and traces its development from early experiments through the major national schools and stylistic shifts. It profiles influential reformers and composers, contrasts forms such as opera buffa, grand opera, and romantic/national traditions, and discusses the changing relationship between music and drama. Chapters explain how to listen to and appreciate operatic works, and appendices assemble reference material, repertory information, and comparative data on institutional support for opera.

Appendix D.

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