Music with Ease > Classical Music > Concert Guide: Romantic Era > Overture, "Euryanthe" - Weber

Weber’s "Euryanthe" was first performed in Vienna in 1823, and met with failure, though the overture has remained popular from that day to this. The story of the opera is concerned with the love troubles of Adolar and Euryanthe, and the introques of Lysiart and Eglantine against them, which are at last happily overcome. The libretto is of the most inane character and was largely responsible for failure of the opera. The opening theme of the overture is announced in all the woodwinds, supported by the full power of the orchestra, after a brilliant introduction, signifying Adolar’s reliance upon the faithfulness of Euryanthe. The second theme is a graceful melody suggesting Adolar’s hope as he looks forward to a meeting with her. A tutti full of color leads to a Largo in the muted violins, accompanied by violas, which gives expression to certain revelations made by Eglantine. After a pause on the last note of the Largo, the basses give out an episode which has no connection with the opera, but which leads back to the first subject, most brilliantly elaborated. The return of the second theme and an effective Coda close the overture.