Ttchaikovsky Research Site
It was based on the play The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark (1599–1601) by William Shakespeare (1564–1616).
Instrumentation:
- 3 flutes (3rd doubling piccolo), 2 oboes, English horn, 2 Bb clarinets, 2 bassoons
- 4 horns (in F), 2 cornets (in B-flat), 2 trumpets (in B-flat), 3 trombones, tuba
- 3 timpani, military drum, cymbals, bass drum, tam tam
- strings