Otto Nicolai (*1810 Königsberg, +1849 Berlin) is known today only by his comic opera, The Merry Wives of Windsor, which was first performed a few weeks before his death with world-wide success. His five earlier Italian operas, two symphonies and various other orchestral, choral and chamber works are of interest today only to the musicologist.
His Six Duets for Two Horns have remained completely unknown however. The manuscript was in the State Library in Stettin until the Second World War, when it was destroyed. The duets 1–3 are herewith being published for the first time.
Kurt Janetzky