About this edition
Mendelssohn's incidental music to A Midsummer Night's Dream, Op. 61, stands as one of the composer's most enchanting and theatrically vivid achievements. Commissioned for a revival of Shakespeare's play at the Royal Opera House in Berlin, this masterful score weaves together the delicate fairy world and human comedy with music of extraordinary imagination—from the gossamer lightness of the "Scherzo" to the jubilant celebration of the "Wedding March," which has become one of classical music's most beloved ceremonial pieces.
This reproduction presents the authoritative text from the Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdys Werke, Serie 15, published by the prestigious Leipzig firm Breitkopf & Härtel between 1874-82 under the editorial supervision of Julius Rietz. As Mendelssohn's former student and a distinguished conductor in his own right, Rietz brought invaluable insight to this comprehensive collected edition, which remains a cornerstone reference for Mendelssohn scholarship. This particular volume bears the publisher's plate number M.B. 117, marking it as part of one of the 19th century's most significant musicological undertakings.
About this edition:
- Full orchestral score in clear, readable 8.5" x 11" format
- Faithfully reproduced from the historic Breitkopf & Härtel edition
- Edited by Julius Rietz (1812-1877)
- Published by Purple 4R Publishing
- Sourced from public domain materials
This edition reproduces a historically significant public domain score, making Mendelssohn's magical music accessible to conductors, performers, and scholars seeking a reliable text of this essential work. We're delighted to help preserve and share this cornerstone of the orchestral repertoire.
