Servais - Caprice sur des motifs de l’Opéra ‘Le Comte Ory’ de G. Rossini (Urtext Edition, Cello and Piano)

Servais’s Caprice sur des motifs de l’opéra Le Comte Ory de Rossini is based on themes from Rossini’s comic opera Le Comte Ory. The work exists in two versions, one for cello and piano and one for two cellos; in both versions, the solo cello part is identical.

The caprice is closely related in design to Servais’s Fantaisie sur deux Airs Russes, Op. 13, with both works unfolding in two large sections. The first part contains two variations on the a cappella ensemble “Oh voi generosa vedete qual pena” from Act II, Scene 1, with the theme drawn specifically from the optional piano part of the vocal score. The second part is based on the Count’s cavatina “Astro sereno brilli” from Act I, Scene 3.

This edition is based on the German and French first editions: the Schott editions with piano and with second cello, both published in Mainz in October 1844, and the Troupenas edition with piano. The sources were graciously provided by the Servais Society. Differences between the sources are noted in the footnotes, and any additional deviations from the original text are marked editorially.

ASTA Level: 6