More characteristic of Nicolai is the charming Overture to Der Tempelritter, or Il templario, an Ivanhoe opera which once had a good international career extending from Mexico to St Petersburg. The Overture has a delightful second subject indicating that, though Nicolai was successful in Italy, he had not forgotten Weber; but it is still overtaken by the famous Die lustigen Weiber von Windsor (''The Merry Wives of Windsor'') Overture. The whole opera deserves its now rather occasional revivals; the Overture, with its lovely opening textures and its catchy main tune (caught by Wagner, in Die Meistersinger, among others), is delightfully played here, as is the rather more staid Weihnachtsouverture (''Christmas Overture''). This makes expert orchestral play with the chorale Vom Himmel hoch, in which a full chorus presently joins.

The Symphony is an interesting work, though it is difficult wholly to share Berlioz's enthusiasm. The first movement is rather strenuous in its symphonic workings, and the Adagio does not really come off, with its graceful opening turning unconvincingly to a darker side. There is a busy scherzo, and quite a lively finale which well maintains Nicolai's high reputation as an orchestrator. To this aspect of his music Berlioz would have responded with understaniable enthusiasm.'

-- John Warrack, Gramophone [3/1990]