Suppe's sparkling seven-minute overture was composed for a stage play with added music first performed in Vienna's Theater in der Josefstadt on February 26, 1844 under the composer's baton. Suppe was fairly new at the podium and actually volunteered for the position with no pay in order have the opportunity to perform his own new works. Although not as famous as the later Poet and Peasant, it shares many of the features of the later masterwork. The study score here is a newly-engraved and researched performing edition prepared by Clark McAlister. IMSLP page All Music Guide