Queen's Lace Handkerchief, The (Das Spitzentuch der Koenigin): Overture Cover Image

Queen's Lace Handkerchief, The (Das Spitzentuch der Koenigin): Overture: Full Orchestra Condensed Score

$5.00 USD

Queen's Lace Handkerchief, The (Das Spitzentuch der Koenigin): Overture: Full Orchestra Condensed Score

Name: Queen's Lace Handkerchief, The (Das Spitzentuch der Koenigin): Overture: Full Orchestra Condensed Score
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 36-A210099
Price: 5.00 USD
Availability: InStock

By Johann Strauss II, ed./arr. by Max Schoenherr

Item: 36-A210099

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THE QUEEN'S LACE HANDKERCHIEF (DAS SPITZENTUCH DER KÖNIGIN) is an operetta by Johann Strauss II (1825-1899). The libretto by Heinrich Bohrmann-Riegen and Richard Genée is based on a fictional story about the Spanish writer Cervantes. Mocking the affluent count Villalobos, Cervantes finds himself in prison, but the king of Portugal frees him because the queen is fond of his literary work. When the count finds a handkerchief from the writer's pocket embossed with an amorous message from the queen, a scandal ensues, but Cervantes finds a clever way to reunite the royal couple. The premiere took place on October 1, 1880 at the Theater an der Wien in Vienna under the baton of the composer. This Kalmus edition of the Overture is arranged by Max Schönherr. Instrumentation: 2(2nd d. Picc).2.2.2: 4.2.3.0: Timp.Perc(2-3): Accord.Hp: Str (9.8.7.6.5 in set): Pno Cond Sc in set.

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Series: Kalmus Orchestra Library

Publisher: Keiser Productions, Inc.

ISBN10: 8-89-563961-8

ISBN13: 979-889-563-9610

UPC: 612735541798

SKU: 36-A210099

Instrumentation: 2(2nd d. Picc).2.2.2: 4.2.3.0: Timp.Perc(2-3): Accord.Hp: Str (9.8.7.6.5 in set): Pno Cond Sc in set

More about this title

About the Composer: Johann Strauss II

Johann Strauss II (1825-1899) dominated the Viennese musical landscape as the "Waltz King," composing over 500 works that defined the sound of nineteenth-century Austria. Beyond his celebrated concert waltzes, Strauss wrote 17 operettas that showcase his gift for melody, orchestration, and theatrical timing. His operettas rival those of Offenbach in their charm and musical sophistication, yet remain less frequently performed in orchestral settings despite their enduring appeal.

Strauss conducted the premiere of The Queen's Lace Handkerchief at Vienna's Theater an der Wien in 1880, cementing its place in the operetta repertoire. The overture distills the work's wit and tunefulness into a concert-length piece that reveals why Strauss was such a commanding figure in European musical life.

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Why we love this

This overture gives orchestras access to genuine Strauss orchestration without requiring singers or a staging budget. The writing balances transparency with richness, allowing young orchestras to hear themselves clearly while enjoying the sophisticated harmonic language and colorful instrumentation that made Strauss a master orchestrator.

What to expect

Elegance and playfulness intertwine throughout. The overture captures the theatrical spirit of its operetta, with charming themes that dance between instruments, sudden key shifts that surprise and delight, and a sense of forward motion that never feels rushed.

Who it's for

Orchestras looking for concert repertoire that sits comfortably between light classics and more demanding symphonic work. High school, college, and community orchestras will find the orchestration manageable while the melodic richness and structural coherence reward careful rehearsal.

How to get the most out of it

Balance the string sections carefully in the softer passages; the accordion and harp add texture that can easily overwhelm the upper strings if the violins don't project.
Clarify the rhythmic character in the faster sections by keeping the brass attacks clean and precise rather than heavy; Strauss expects lightness and wit, not weight.
Use the conductor's score to identify moments where the percussion and timpani shift the harmonic color; these transitions feel natural only when timed with precision.

How to use it

Program this as a centerpiece for a "Vienna and Beyond" concert, pairing it with other waltz-based orchestral works or lighter classical fare. It also serves as an excellent opener that establishes an evening's lighter tone without sacrificing musical substance.