As with its famous companion, this overture is often not credited to the person who actually composed it, the conductor Edmund Haensch (d.1929). It was likely produced for a Berlin production of the 1864 Offenbach operetta and incorporates a many of the better-known melodies. The score offered here is a reduced-format version of the expertly edited and score prepared by Clark McAlister first issued in large score and parts in 2006 by the now-defunct publisher E.F. Kalmus. Fortunately Dr. McAlister has reclaimed his copyrights and Serenissima is pleased to offer this superbly engraved study score, along with the large conductor's score and orchestral parts.
