On 7 February 1786 a memorable operatic contest took place in the Orangery at Schönbrunn , which the Emperor Joseph II himself initiated. The two opera ensembles resident in Vienna  were to be judged: the Italian ‘court opera’ and the Singspiel troupe of the German  National Theatre.  The productions which resulted from this  contest were Antonio  Salieri’s  “Prima la musica e poi  le  parole” and Mozart’s “ Der   Schauspieldirektor ”.<br>
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In  Salieri’s opera the process of composing is depicted on the stage in music, making this divertimento teatrale a gem in the genre of metamelodrama . “Prima la musica e poi le parole” reveals the composer  Salieri  not only at the  stylistic heights of the period, but also at the height of his music-  dramatical  creativity.  Salieri’s  opera stands up fully in comparison with Mozart’s “ Der  Schauspieldirektor ”.<br>
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The vocal score is based on the first Critical Edition of Salieri’s best-known opera, edited by  Thomas Betzwieser .<br>