The Creatures of Prometheus, Op. 43

Composer: BEETHOVEN, Ludwig van
  • Beethoven’s ballet Die Geschöpfe des Prometheus (composed 1800/1) premiered in Vienna in 1801.1
  • Creatures of Prometheus was choreographed by dancer and composer Salvatore Viganò (1769-1821).2
  • This ballet was written to be performed for Empress Maria Theresa.3 The production was successful enough to have more than 20 performances.4
  • The finale of The Creatures of Prometheus later became the source of the 4th movement theme in Beethoven’s Eroica Symphony5 (1803)6

Sources

  1. Douglas Johnson et al, “Beethoven, Ludwig van,” Grove Music Online (Oxford University Press, 2001), accessed July 22, 2019, https://www.oxfordmusiconline.com/grovemusic/view/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.001.0001/omo-9781561592630-e-0000040026.
  2. Friderica Derra De Moroda and Monika Woitas, “Viganò, Salvatore,” Grove Music Online (Oxford University Press, 2001), accessed July 22, 2019, https://www.oxfordmusiconline.com/grovemusic/view/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.001.0001/omo-9781561592630-e-0000029345.
  3. Anthony Burton, “Beethoven: The Creatures of Prometheus,” liner notes to Ludwig van Beethoven: Die Geschöpfe des Prometheus op. 43, Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, Deutsche Grammophon 419-608-2, CD, 1987.
  4. Douglas Johnson et al, “Beethoven, Ludwig van,” Grove Music Online (Oxford University Press, 2001), accessed July 22, 2019, https://www.oxfordmusiconline.com/grovemusic/view/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.001.0001/omo-9781561592630-e-0000040026.
  5. David Wyn Jones, liner notes to Beethoven: Symphony no. 3, “Eroica,” Prometheus-Overture, The London Classical Player, Roger Norrington, EMI 7 49101 2, CD, 1989.
  6. Douglas Johnson et al, “Beethoven, Ludwig van,” Grove Music Online (Oxford University Press, 2001), accessed July 22, 2019, https://www.oxfordmusiconline.com/grovemusic/view/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.001.0001/omo-9781561592630-e-0000040026.

Cut IDs

17883, 19545, 19664, 20957, 21869, 40249