The Captive Queen

The Captive Queen is scored for the following instruments and voices,{{sfn|Dahlström|2003|p=224}} organized by family (vocalists, woodwinds, brass, percussion, and strings):

• Mixed choir ({{abbr|SATB|two-part female choir and two-part male choir}}) or male choir ({{abbr|TTBB|four-part male choir}})
• 2 flutes (one doubling piccolo), 2 oboes, 1 clarinet (in B{{flat}}), 1 bass clarinet (in B{{flat}}), and 1 bassoon
• 4 horns (in F), 2 trumpets (in F), and 3 trombones
• Timpani, bass drum, cymbals,{{efn|Dahlström (2003) does not list cymbals among the instruments for The Captive Queen.{{sfn|Dahlström|2003|p=224}} This is clearly an accidental omission, as the score indicates "{{lang|it|piatti|italics=no}}" at marker L.}} and triangle
• Violins (I and II), violas, cellos, and double basses

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|caption1=The Finnish author Paavo Cajander ({{c.|1898}}) wrote the text for Sibelius's cantata The Captive Queen.

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|caption2=A medal commemorating the 1906 centennial of Snellman's birth

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Sibelius composed the cantata for the centennial festivities that marked the birth (12 May 1806) of Johan Vilhelm Snellman,{{sfn|Barnett|2007|p=}} a philosopher and statesman who was an important contributor to the Fennoman cause.{{efn|In Finland, Snellman's birthday, 12 May, is a customary flag day on which the Finnish government recommends—but does not legally require—the flag of Finland to be flown. The day is celebrated as the 'Day of Finnish Identity' ('{{lang|fi|Suomalaisuuden päivä|italics=no}}').|name=Flag day}}

The Finnish composer Oskar Merikanto also contributed a new piece for the occasion, the Cantata in Memory of J. V. Snellman ({{lang|fi|Kantaatti J. V. Snellmanin muistolle}}, OM100; text by A. V. Koskimies). This premiered two hours before The Captive Queen, albeit at a different venue: the Finnish National Theatre.{{sfn|Uggla|1906|p=6}}

The Finnish conductor Jorma Panula and the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra made the world premiere studio recording of The Captive Queen in September 1987 for Ondine; they were joined by a mixed choir credited as the "Academic Choir of Helsinki University" ("{{lang|fi|Helsingin Yliopiston Opettajankoulutuslaitoksen Kuoro|italics=no}}").{{sfn|Dahlström|2003|p=225}} {{ill|Fabian Dahlström|fi}}, in his 2003 catalogue of Sibelius works, however, connects this ensemble to {{ill|Akateeminen Laulu|fi}},{{sfn|Dahlström|2003|p=225}} which was founded in 1953 as the mixed choir of the Student Union of the University of Helsinki. The table below lists this and other commercially available recordings:

;{{large|Notes}}

{{notelist}}

;{{large|References}}

{{Reflist|colwidth=25em}}

;{{large|Sources}}

{{refbegin}}

;Books and liner notes

• {{Cite AV media notes|first=Andrew|last=Barnett|title=Sibelius: Song of the Earth|others=Osmo Vänskä, Lahti Symphony Orchestra, & Dominante Choir|year=2005|type=booklet|publisher=BIS|id=BIS CD-1365}} {{OCLC|62255940}}
• {{cite book|last1=Barnett|first1=Andrew|year=2007|title=Sibelius|location=New Haven|publisher=Yale University Press|isbn=978-0-300-11159-0}}
• {{cite book|last=Dahlström|first=Fabian|author-link=:sv:Fabian Dahlström|title=Jean Sibelius: Thematisch-bibliographisches Verzeichnis seiner Werke|trans-title=Jean Sibelius: A Thematic Bibliographic Index of His Works|date=2003|publisher=Breitkopf & Härtel|location=Wiesbaden|language=de|isbn=3-7651-0333-0}}
• {{Cite AV media notes|first=Pierre-Yves|last=Lascar|title=Sibelius: Cantatas|others=Paavo Järvi, Estonian National Symphony Orchestra, & Estonian National Male Choir|year=2003|type=booklet|publisher=Virgin Classics|id=7243 5 45589 2 4}} {{OCLC|52897195}}

;Newspapers (by date)

• {{cite news|title=Yliopiston juhla|trans-title=The University's celebrations|newspaper=Uusi Suometar|number=109|date=13 May 1906|page=3|url=https://digi.kansalliskirjasto.fi/sanomalehti/binding/799394?page=3|language=fi|ref={{harvid|Uusi Suometar, No. 109|1906}}}}
• {{cite news|author=A. U. [Uggla, Alarik]|author-link=:fi:Alarik Uggla|title=Två Festkantater|trans-title=Two festive cantatas|newspaper=Hufvudstadsbladet|number=128|date=12 May 1906|page=6|url=https://digi.kansalliskirjasto.fi/sanomalehti/binding/766959?term=Sibelius&term=Cajander&page=6|language=sv|ref={{harvid|Uggla|1906}}}}

{{refend}}

• {{IMSLP2|work=The Captive Queen, Op.48 (Sibelius, Jean)|cname=The Captive Queen (Vapautettu kuningatar), Op. 48}}

{{Jean Sibelius|state=collapsed}}

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Category:Cantatas by Jean Sibelius

Category:1906 compositions

Category:Choral compositions