The original Midsummer Night’s Dream Overture was immensely popular and critically acclaimed when it was premiered (publicly) at Stettin on February 20, 1827 as well as at subsequent performances. One reviewer in the Harmonicon (a monthly music journal) commented that the overture was “sparkling with genius and rich in effect; some parts playful and sylph-like, others lofty and solid; the whole indicating that the musician has studied the poet, has entered into his thoughts, and even caught some of his imagination”.[1]
The premiere of the incidental work, in celebration of the Prussian King’s birthday occurred on October 14, 1843 at the theatre of the Neues Palais in Potsdam. Several sold out performances subsequently followed; with the who’s who of society attending the shows. There were some hiccups though with the initial performance. The play and the music were not totally in sync since Felix and the dramatist (Ludwig Tieck) had worked separately on the production - unlike previous collaborations (e.g. Antigone). In addition, Fanny was unhappy about Tieck’s costuming and there was an unplanned intermission that disrupted Felix’s plan for a unified, uninterrupted production.
Despite the initial glitches, patrons enjoyed the performances tremendously. The singer-actor Eduard Devrient some time later remarked that “the originality of his portrayal of fairy life has become typical; all later composers have, in similar subjects, followed in his footsteps”[2]. In an encore performance of the Incidental Music on June 10, 1844 in England, the work was thoroughly enjoyed by a royal audience that included Queen Victoria, Prince Albert, the Saxon King, and the Duke of Wellington. The entire work, as well as selected movements were performed on numerous occasions during the rest of the composers life, and remained extremely popular even after his death – particularly the Wedding March which is a staple at most nuptials today.
[1] Larry R. Todd, Mendelssohn: A Life in Music. New York: Oxford University Press, 2003
[2] Larry R. Todd, Mendelssohn: A Life in Music. New York: Oxford University Press, 2003
The premiere of the incidental work, in celebration of the Prussian King’s birthday occurred on October 14, 1843 at the theatre of the Neues Palais in Potsdam. Several sold out performances subsequently followed; with the who’s who of society attending the shows. There were some hiccups though with the initial performance. The play and the music were not totally in sync since Felix and the dramatist (Ludwig Tieck) had worked separately on the production - unlike previous collaborations (e.g. Antigone). In addition, Fanny was unhappy about Tieck’s costuming and there was an unplanned intermission that disrupted Felix’s plan for a unified, uninterrupted production.
Despite the initial glitches, patrons enjoyed the performances tremendously. The singer-actor Eduard Devrient some time later remarked that “the originality of his portrayal of fairy life has become typical; all later composers have, in similar subjects, followed in his footsteps”[2]. In an encore performance of the Incidental Music on June 10, 1844 in England, the work was thoroughly enjoyed by a royal audience that included Queen Victoria, Prince Albert, the Saxon King, and the Duke of Wellington. The entire work, as well as selected movements were performed on numerous occasions during the rest of the composers life, and remained extremely popular even after his death – particularly the Wedding March which is a staple at most nuptials today.
[1] Larry R. Todd, Mendelssohn: A Life in Music. New York: Oxford University Press, 2003
[2] Larry R. Todd, Mendelssohn: A Life in Music. New York: Oxford University Press, 2003