Georges Bizet

L'Arlésienne: Suite No. 1, GB 121/op. 23bis

L'Arlésienne: Suite no. 1, GB 121/Op. 23bis was assembled in 1872 by Georges Bizet (1838-1875) from his incidental music to Alphonse Daudet's drama L'Arlésienne, first staged that same year in Paris. Although the play itself was not a success, Bizet's music quickly gained independent life in the concert hall. The suite, premiered shortly after the stage production in 1872, draws on themes that evoke southern French folk character, including the famous "March of the Kings." The later editorial work of Fritz Hoffmann helped standardize the suite for modern performance. Today L'Arlésienne: Suite no. 1 stands as one of Bizet's most frequently performed orchestral works, firmly established in the standard repertoire. Instrumentation: 2.2(1st dEH).2.2: Asax: 4.4.3.0: Timp.Perc(1): Hp(or Pno): Str (9.8.7.6.5 in set) [can be played w/ 1.1(dEH).2.1: 2.2.1.0: Str (1.1.1.1.1)]. Reprint edition.