Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840-1893) first took up the idea of writing an overture to HAMLET in 1876. Twelve years later, the actor Lucien Guitry approached him with a request to write incidental music for a performance of the play, and although it never transpired, he completed the OVERTURE-FANTASIA, Op. 67. At another request from Guitry, he created the Op. 67a INCIDENTAL MUSIC, including a shortened version of the original overture. The premiere took place on February 21, 1891 at the Mikhaylovsky Theatre in Saint Petersburg. Instrumentation: 2.2.2.2: 2.2.1.0: Timp.Perc(1): Str (9-8-7-6-5 in set): Banda (0.2.2.2: 2.2.1.0: Perc[1]): Solo [Sop. & Bar.].