Un giorno di regno, which premiered at Milanhsquo;s Teatro alla Scala in September 1840, is Verdihsquo;s second opera and one of only two comedies (with Falstaff) ever written by the composer. Rooted in Felice Romanigsquo;s libretto Il finto Stanislao, Un giorno di regno experienced a tumultuous history: the opera squo;s first performance was poorly received, a result that has been often attributed to a personal tragedy dash;the sudden death of his first wifeqdash;that befell Verdi during the workesquo;s composition. Research for this edition, however, reveals that Verdi worked on it with the utmost care. In recent times, new audiences have embraced revivals of Un giorno di regno, and the opera is now celebrated as a fine expression of Verdinsquo;s robust style, offering enticing glimpses into the world of comedy at mid-century.
This critical edition, based on Verdissquo;s autograph manuscript, offers the first publication of the opera in full score. Editor Francesco Izzo contextualizes Un giorno di regno in his introductory discussion of the work squo;s origins, sources, and performances. In addition, appendices provide alternative musical readings and reconstruct lost versions of segments of the musical numbers, while the critical commentary explores editorial problems and answers.
