Prinzessin Brambilla

Prinzessin Brambilla (Princess Brambilla), Op. 12b, is an opera in a prologue and five scenes by Walter Braunfels. The German libretto, written by the composer, is based on the novella Prinzessin Brambilla (novella) by E. T. A. Hoffmann published in 1820.

History
Braunfels began the composition in 1906 and completed the original two-act version in 1908. He revised the opera in 1929/1930. The second version consists of a prologue and five scenes separated by orchestral interludes. The score of this revised version is published by Universal Edition.

The opera was first performed in its original two-act version on 25 March 1909 at the Stuttgart Court Theatre with Max von Schillings conducting.

Recordings
In 2005 Marco Polo released a live recording, made during the October 2004 Wexford Festival Opera production run, with Daniele Belardinelli conducting the Cracow Philharmonic Orchestra. The cast included Enrico Marabelli as Pantalone, Peter Paul as Prince Bastaniello, Eric Shaw as Claudio, Elena Lo Forte as Giazinta, and a young Ekaterina Gubanova in the minor role of Barbara.