Manfred (Schumann)

The work is based on the 1817 poem Manfred by Lord Byron and consists of an overture, and 15 pieces of music: an entracte, melodramas, and several solos and choruses.

The full work was then performed at the German National Theatre on 13 June 1852, with the orchestra conducted by Franz Liszt.

Composer Hugo Wolf wrote that the work "has brought the essence, the focal point of the drama to plastic expression with the simplest strokes.

"[3] German-American psychiatrist and music historian Peter Ostwald wrote that the Overture was written during a time when Schumann was facing "exquisite suffering" from "inner voices," or auditory hallucinations.

[4] The overture's orchestration consists of 2 flutes, 2 oboes, 2 B-flat clarinets, 4 French horns, 3 trumpets, 3 trombones, timpani, and the string ensemble.