Text and Translation

The text presented here is that found in the primary musical source, the Viermese manuscript score in Frankfurt; see the critical report for more details on these and other sources for the text and music. Texts of vocal numbers in the score have only minor differences with that of the manuscript libretto likewise preserved in Frankfurt. The head- ings for acts, scenes, and musical numbers, the spoken dialogues, and the stage directions are taken from the manuscript libretto. The titles of the musical numbers in the score generally agree with those in the libretto, but the spelling of the libretto is used.

However, the libretto indicates neither a Sinfonia, which only appears in the score, nor a Musik zur Seeschlacht (Music for the Sea Battle, no. 16); instead of the latter, the libretto merely mentions a storm and a “Gefecht” (battle) at sea. For the other instrumental numbers, the libretto only gives a general indication of the music’s function. For example, no. 6 is “eine türkische Musik” (Turkish music), but in the score it is a “türkische Marchia” or just “Marchia.” The libretto refers to no. 9 as “eine angenehme Musik” (pleasant music), while the score indicates Harmonie, that is, music for wind band. For all instrumental numbers, the edition will use the titles from the score. Punctuation, accents, diacritical marks, and apostrophes are added or removed to conform to modern usage. Editorial changes in the headings, dialogues, and stage directions are given in brackets. Alterations to the texts for the musical numbers are cited in the critical notes (within the critical report). The translation is not intended to be sung, although the use of the English version of the dialogues is a possible performance option.