Hi Jan,

Thanks for the heads up on this. As I understand it Vorspiel zu einem Drama was written around 1913 using music from Die Gezeichneten whereas Vorspiel zu einer großen Oper is from 20 years later based on themes to the opera Memnon so quite different works. "Shortened Overture" is the title the new BIS release liner uses on its own back cover. Given that the Vorspiel zu einem Drama was performed before the complete opera was premiered, in my head (but this is conjecture) I can understand Schreker writing a fuller more expansive version of the score that then was reduced/shortened for practical theatrical performance. Certainly starting a long night at the opera with a 20+ minute overture is extravagant even by Schreker standards!

If you compare the 2 BIS recordings of the Vorspiel from Die Gezeichneten they are the same work and run for very similar lengths. Confusingly (potentially) the earlier disc does include the Vorspiel zu einer großen Oper as well which elsewhere includes a reference to Memnon. The Vorspiel zu einem Drama shares the exact same material at its opening and elsewhere to the opera overture.