OperaLite is a resource created by Casa Ricordi that aims at expanding access to great operas. It is based on a traditional concept, i.e.: providing complete scores of the world’s best-loved operas transcribed for smaller ensembles. It is an approach that meets the growing demand for streamlined, low-cost productions.
The adaptations are the result of an intense effort focused on recreating the “sound” of each opera in compliance with its aesthetic background, and through a meticulous reinterpretation of each work’s musical and dramaturgical content that preserves the original libretto and vocal parts. The outcome is a recasting of each original work in which orchestral economy (scores designed for orchestras ranging anywhere from 16 to 21 players, depending on the opera) becomes a plus point, thanks to the technical skills and sensitivity of the composers who worked to bring this project to life.
OperaLite offers high artistic quality for low-cost productions and score/book rentals, at affordable prices that can make the world’s greatest operas accessible to musical institutions across the spectrum.
The
OperaLite catalogue continues to expand. Its current list includes operas by Bellini, Bizet, Donizetti, Mozart, Puccini, Rossini, and Verdi. All of OperaLite
scores are available in complete or abridged editions.
Bellini
Norma
Reduced orchestration by Gerardo Colella (2006)
Instrumentation: fl, ob, cl, bn, 2 hn, perc. (with timp), hp (ad libitum), strings (min/max 2-5 vl I, 2-4 vl II, 2-3 vla, 2 vc, 1 db)
Bizet
Carmen
Reduced orchestration by Gerardo Colella (2006)
Instrumentation: fl/picc, ob, cl, bn, 2 hn, perc (with timp), hp (ad libitum), strings (min/max 2-5 vl I, 2-4 vl II, 2-3 vle, 2 vc, 1 db)
Donizetti
Don Pasquale
Reduced orchestration by Enrico Minaglia (2017)
Instrumentation: fl, ob, cl, bn, 2 hn, tpt, timp, strings (3 vl I, 3 vl II, 2 vla, 1 vc, 1 db)
L’elisir d’amore
Reduced orchestration by Giovanni Verrando (2007)
Instrumentation: fl, ob, cl, bn, hn, tpt, trbn, perc (with timp), hp, strings (min 1 vl I, 1 vl II, 1 vla, 1 vc, 1 db)
Mozart
Così fan tutte
Reduced orchestration by Caterina Calderoni (2009)
Instrumentation: fl, ob, cl, bn, 2 hn, tpt, timp, keyboard (ad libitum), strings (min 2 vl I, 2 vl II, 2 vle, 1 db)
Puccini
La bohème
Reduced orchestration by Gerardo Colella (2007)
Instrumentation: l/picc, ob/eh, cl, bn, hn, tpt, trbn, perc/timp (ad libitum), hp* (ad libitum), strings (min/max 2-5 vl I, 2-4 vl II, 2-3 vle, 2 vc, 1 db).
*harp may be replaced by a keyboard; in this case additional notes with appropriate timbre will be clearly indicated on the score
Gianni Schicchi
Reduced orchestration by Matthias Weigmann (1988)
Instrumentation: fl, ob, cl, fg, hn, tpt, trbn, perc, pf, strings (1 vl I, 1 vl II, 1 vla, 1 vc, 1 db)
Madama Butterfly
Reduced orchestration by Carlo Boccadoro (2020)
Instrumentation: fl/picc, ob, cl, bn, hn, tpt, trbn, timp (trg, glock and t-t ad libitum), hp, strings (min 4 vl I, 3 vl II, 2 vle, 1 vc, 1 db)
Manon Lescaut
Reduced orchestration by Stefano Rabaglia (2024)
Instrumentation: 2 fl (II also Picc.), 1 ob (also E.h.), 2 cl (II also b.cl.), 1 bn / 2.2.1 (B.tbn.).-. / Perc., Hp., Music Box, Cel. / Onstage insrtuments: Fl., Crnt., Bells, Drum., Rattle / Strings (no less than: 3.3.2.3.1.)
Tosca
Reduced orchestration by Caterina Calderoni (2007)
Instrumentation: fl/picc, ob/eh, cl, bn, hn, tpt, trbn, timp (ad libitum), perc / pre-recorded gunshots / hp (ad libitum), kbd, strings (2 vl I, 2 vl II, 2 vle, 2 vc, 1 db)
Tosca
Reduced orchestration by Riccardo Burato (2024)
Instrumentation: 2 (II anche Ott.), 2 (II anche Cor.i.), 2.2 (II anche Cfg.). / 2.2.1.-. / Tp., Perc., Car., Camp.lli., A. / Coro (SCTB) / Archi - sul palcoscenico: Fl., Vla, A., 4. Cor., 3 Trbn., Camp. Org., 2 Tmb., Fucili, Cannone
Turandot
Reduced orchestration by Enrico Minaglia (2015)
Instrumentation: fl/picc, ob, cl, bn, 2 hn, tpt, btrbn, perc (1), kbd, strings (3 vl I, 3 vl II 2 vle, 2 vc, 1 db with 5 strings)
Rossini
Il barbiere di Siviglia
Reduced orchestration by Gerardo Colella (2015)
Instrumentation: fl, ob, cl, bn, 2hn, timp, perc, keyboard, strings ( 2 vl, vla, vc, db)
Verdi
Aida
Reduced orchestration by Alberto Colla (2005)
Instrumentation: fl, ob, cl, bn, 2 hn, 2 tpt, tbn, timp, perc, hp, strings (min 4 vl I, 3 vl II, 2 vle, 1 vc, 1 db)
Falstaff
Reduced orchestration by Stefano Rabaglia (2020)
Instrumentation: 2 fl (2nd also picc), ob/eh, 2 cl (2nd also bcl), bn, 2 hn, 2 tpt, tbn, timp/perc, hp (or kbd), strings ( 2 vl I, 2 vl II, 2 vla, 2 vc, 1 db)
Macbeth
Reduced orchestration by Stefano Rabaglia (2021)
Instrumentation: 2 fl (2nd also picc), ob/eh, 2 cl (2nd also bcl), bn, 2 hn, 2 tpt, tbn, timp/perc, hp (or kbd), strings (2 vl I, 2 vl II, 2 vla, 2 vc, 1 db)
Rigoletto
Reduced orchestration by Alberto Colla (2005)
Instrumentation: fl/picc, ob, cl, bn, 2 hn, tpt, trbn, perc, strings (min 2-4 vl I, 2-3 vl II, 2 vle, 2 vc, 1 db)
La traviata
Reduced orchestration by Marco Uvietta (2005)
Instrumentation: fl/picc, ob, cl, bn, 2 hn, timp (ad libitum), hp (or gtr), strings (min 4 vl I, 3 vl II, 2 vle, 1 db)
Il trovatore
Reduced orchestration by Enrico Minaglia (2022)
Instrumentation: fl., cl., bn., 2 hn., tpt., trbn., kbd., perc., strings (3 vl. I, 3 vl. II, 2 vle, 2vc., 1 cb.)
Peruse the scores
View playlist on nkoda