Composed in the 1640s by Ferdinand III to a libretto by his brother, Archduke Leopold Wilhelm, Drama musicum is among the earliest surviving operatic works from the Habsburg court—and a rare case of an emperor composing dramatic music himself. Long transmitted only through corrupt later copies, the work has recently come into sharper focus with the rediscovery of a contemporary manuscript. Best understood as an opera morale, it reflects a courtly culture in which music, ethics, and representation were inseparable. This performance is likely the first modern presentation based on the rediscovered source, offering a historically grounded encounter with an important and little-known chapter of early opera.

Program

Ferdinand III., Holy Roman Emperor: Drama musicum

Performers

Andréa Walker and Elizabeth Tait soprano
Aaron Cates tenor
Peter Schoellkopff bass

Manami Mizumoto concertmaster
Will Copeland, Aaron Westman, and Dan McCarthy viola
Sydney ZumMallen violone

Daniel Swenberg theorbo
Bryan Anderson organ

Mario Aschauer harpsichord and artistic director