Roma (NCPE. Bradburd)

Georges Bizet's symphonic suite "Roma" was composed in 1861 during his residency as a Prix de Rome scholarship recipient in the Eternal City. The work reflects the intense impressions that the young French composer gained from the Italian capital with its rich history and vibrant atmosphere. Originally conceived as a four-movement symphony, the work underwent several revisions and later became known as a three-movement suite.

The composition demonstrates Bizet's characteristic fusion of French elegance and Mediterranean color. Particularly remarkable is his ability to transform Roman cityscapes and moods into orchestral tone paintings. The lively rhythms and memorable melodies already reveal that melodic gift which would later reach its pinnacle in "Carmen."

The present edition is based on Bradburd's critical scholarly new edition, which for the first time systematically evaluates all available sources and provides a reliable textual foundation. This revision makes Bizet's early masterwork accessible to today's orchestras in its authentic form.