Carmina Burana

views updated Jun 08 2018

Carmina Burana (cantiones profanae) (Songs of Beuren, profane songs). Scenic cantata by Carl Orff, with optional mimed action, in 25 movts. for sop., ten., and bar. soloists, boys' choir, ch., and orch. (14 movts. for ch.). Lat. text—student songs about wine, women, and love—based on poems in Lat., Old Ger. and Old Fr. from MS dated 1280 found in Benedictine monastery of Beuren. First part of Orff's trilogy Trionfi. Comp. 1935–6. Prod. Frankfurt 1937, S. Francisco 1958, London 1960 (concert).