The Story of 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