Known primarily for his comic operas, Ermanno Wolf-Ferrari (1876-1948) began his formal education at the Royal Academy of Music in Munich. He studied counterpoint with Joseph Rheinberger and in 1893, completed the SERENADE FOR STRINGS in E-flat Major. The work was first performed as a string nonet at a student concert at the end of the year under the direction of the 17-year-old composer himself. Instrumentation: String Orchestra (8-8-5-5-5 in set).