Verdi's operas are most often represented in the concert hall today by their overtures or 'sinfonias' with very good reason. A number of them are symphonic gems in their own right. The operas he composed for the Paris stage give us another view of his orchestral virtuosity with their sumptuous ballet scores. The Ballet de la Reine (La Peregrina) was given its premiere with the world premiere of the opera Don Carlos itself in Paris by the Théâtre Impérial de l'Opéra in the Salle Le Peletier in March 11, 1867 under the baton of François George-Hainl. The ballet, which was staged during Act III, was originally choreographed by Lucien Petipa, the brother of the renowed Marius Petipa. This is a newly edited and engraved score prepared by Howard K. Wolf in consultation with all of the available authoritative manuscript and printed sources.
