La scala di seta (The Silken Ladder) is one act comic opera first performed in Venice on May 9, 1812. Although the opera is only rarely performed today, the sinfonia (overture) has remained a concert favorite from the outset and is programed often. The name comes from one of the character’s lowering a ladder made of silk so that her lover can visit at night. The edition offered here is licensed reprint in reduced format of the critical edition prepared by Clark McAlister first issued as a large score and set of parts in 2013. It includes the editor’s informative preface about the performance tradition of the overtures for Rossini’s operas, which until very recently have been rather carelessly treated by publishers over the decades.

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