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.

Performers

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

Mario Aschauer artistic director