Die Erste Walpurgisnacht, Op. 60 (German text only)

In 1831, Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847) completed a secular cantata based on the Goethe poem DIE ERSTE WALPURGISNACHT (THE FIRST WALPURGIS NIGHT). The poem relates the first celebration of May's Eve, first practiced by the Bavarian Druids who masquerade as demons to frighten the Christians living nearby. The composer conducted the first public performance on January 10, 1833 at the Sing-Akademie in Berlin. In 1843, he published the final revised version as OPUS 60. The full score and parts (A266402) can be ordered separately. The English vocal score (W700091) is also available. Instrumentation: Soli ATB, Mixed Chorus, and Piano. Reprint edition.