Der Kalif von Bagdad
The Caliph of Baghdad

Two operas paved the way of François Adrien Boieldieu (1775-1834) from Rouen to Paris, where the first production of the opera “The Caliph of Baghdad” in 1800 was unanimously acclaimed. After that he went to St. Petersburg where he was appointed court music director. He stayed in the Russian capital until 1810 and then returned to Paris, where he continued to compose operas. It was “La Dame Blanche” which made him known all over the world.

Hans Hartwig’s fine transcription brings to new band life the overture of the opera “The Caliph of Baghdad”. The plot of this opera, which opened an international career to its composer, focuses on the caliph Harun al-Rajid who is said to have frequently mixed with his people in disguise in order to find out what his subjects really desired.